Where information is sought in respect of
the information or record, which relates to or has been supplied by a third
party and has been treated as confidential by that third party, the authority,
within five days from the receipt of the request,
(i) to give a written notice to such
third party of intention to disclose the information or record and inviting
the third party to make a submission in writing or orally, regarding whether
the information should be disclosed,
(ii) third party may make such
submission within ten days of receipt of such notice,
(iii) The authority shall, within forty
days after the receipt of request under section 6, if the third party has
given an opportunity to make representation, make a decision as to whether
or not to disclose the information or record or part thereof and give in
writing the notice of his decision to the third party. Such notice to third
party shall include a statement that the third party is entitled to prefer an
appeal under section 19 against the decision.
The submission of the third
party to be kept in view while taking a decision about disclosure of
information.
Disclosure may be allowed if public
interest in disclosure outweighs in importance any possible harm or injury to
the interests of such third party, except in the case of trade or commercial
secrets protected by law.