Screenshot of the comparative fares at the time of booking of the tickets

The Appellant sought the date wise LTC Concession (Economy Class) air fare displayed on https://www.irctc.co.in/Portal between Mumbai and Varanasi for the Period 01st to 30th November 2021. The PIO replied that the Historical Airfare data of Airlines is not stored by IRCTC. The Airline fares are governed by Airlines and are very dynamic which may vary as per the seat availability at the time and date of booking. It is the duty of the person booking the ticket to take the screenshot of the comparative fares flashed on the screen at the time of booking the ticket, because it keeps on changing and it is not possible to recapitulate later on the same at the relevant time. The CIC observed that as far as RTI application is concerned, appropriate reply has been furnished by the Respondents and upheld the same. The Appellant made a prayer during the hearing to provide a certified copy of downloaded fares. In this regard, the CIC held that it is an extended relief claimed which has never been sought in the original RTI application and rejected the same.

Comments

It is seen that some government servants miss taking a screenshot of the comparative fares at the time of booking of the tickets. Such bills are struck up and there is little that the RTI Act can do to provide the historical data which is not stored.

Citation: Anjani Kumar Mishra v. IRCTC Ltd., File No: CIC/IRCTC/A/2024/109292; Date of Decision: 28.08.2025

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com