Archive · 7 Jan 2026
CIC Directs DPIIT to Clarify Vaccine Funding Records
A man named Mahavir Singh Sharma asked the government for information about the money given to two companies, Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech, to make Covid-19 vaccines.
The government department he asked, DPIIT, said they didn't have the information.
A higher authority, the Central Information Commission, told DPIIT to officially say they don't have the information by submitting an affidavit.
Sharma wanted to know if the money was returned, if all vaccines were given to Indian people, and other details about the vaccines and the money spent.
The Central Information Commission (CIC) directed the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to file an affidavit stating that details of government funding to Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers are not available with it.
The RTI appeal was filed by Mahavir Singh Sharma, seeking information on government funding provided to Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech for Covid-19 vaccine production during 2020 and 2021.
DPIIT had initially stated that the requested information was not held by its logistics division, and the First Appellate Authority upheld this reply.
Sharma sought details on whether the ₹4,500 crore released by the government to the manufacturers had been returned with interest or adjusted against vaccine supplies, and other related information.
The CIC directed DPIIT to submit the affidavit within 15 days, both by post and by uploading it on the Commission’s compliance portal, with a copy to be served on the appellant.
- Who
- Mahavir Singh Sharma (RTI applicant), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Central Information Commission (CIC)
- What
- RTI appeal regarding government funding to Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers
- When
- During 2020 and 2021, with a recent hearing and directive
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- To seek clarity on government funding provided to vaccine manufacturers and the utilization of these funds
- Applicant
- Mahavir Singh Sharma
- Department Involved
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
- Commission
- Central Information Commission (CIC)
- Funding Amount
- ₹4,500 crore
- Vaccine Manufacturers
- Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech
- Timeframe
- 2020 and 2021
- Deadline for Affidavit
- 15 days