7. Exemption from disclosure of information.- Notwithstanding anything contained in this Ordinance, no person shall be given the, -- (a) information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security or interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence: Provided that, whenever any information sought is to be withheld on the aforementioned grounds, the request for such information shall forthwith be put up by the Public Information Officer through the Competent Authority to the Committee for consideration and decision; Provided further that, the Public Information Officer shall, after obtaining the 'approval from such Committee for rejection of the request, while communicating such rejection to the applicant mention that such rejection is with the approval of the Committee; (b) information which has been expressly forbidden to be published by any court of law or tribunal or the disclosure of which may constitute contempt of court; (c) information, 'the disclosure of which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature; (d)information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party, unless the Competent Authority is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information; (e) information available to a person in his fiduciary relationship, unless the Competent Authority is satisfied that the larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information; (f) information pertaining to service record of a person; (g) information received in confidence from foreign government or International Organization: (h) information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes; (i) information the disclosure of which is prohibited under the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923; (j) information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders; and (k) information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the Competent Authority is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information. | 
