CIC Orders Disclosure of Garnet Sand Export Data Amidst Mining Ban

• The Central Information Commission (CIC) has mandated the disclosure of garnet sand export quantities by private firms.
• The decision comes after it was revealed that mining of garnet sand has been banned since 2013, raising questions about the source of exported material.
• The CIC rejected arguments of commercial confidence, stating that only export quantities were sought, not sensitive business details.
• The Commission emphasized that larger public interest warrants disclosure, especially given the ban and restrictive export mechanisms through IREL (India) Ltd.
• Authorities have been directed to provide the export quantity details within 30 days.