The Central Information Commission (CIC) has instructed the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to file a formal affidavit. The affidavit must state that information about government funding to COVID-19 vaccine makers is "not available" with the department. This order came during a hearing of an RTI appeal by Mahavir Singh Sharma. Sharma sought details about thousands of crores given by the Union government to Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech in 2020 and 2021 for vaccine production. DPIIT replied earlier that its logistics division did not have the requested information. It said, "the requisite information may be treated as 'NIL'." The First Appellate Authority agreed. Information Commissioner Khushwant Singh Sethi noted this reply but asked DPIIT to file a formal affidavit to affirm its claim. The CIC said, "The respondent is directed to file an affidavit to the commission with a categorical statement that the sought information in the RTI application dated October 6, 2023, is not available with their public authority." DPIIT has been given 15 days to submit the affidavit by post and via the CIC's compliance portal. A copy must also be sent to the appellant, Mr. Sharma. Sharma's RTI application asked if ₹4,500 crore given without bank guarantee was returned by the vaccine makers or if vaccine doses were delivered in exchange. He also sought information on vaccine doses received by the government, vaccines sent abroad, funds received for those vaccines, vaccine coverage among Indian citizens, and costs for Covishield and Covaxin. DPIIT officials said the information was not held by their division and that the RTI was initially filed with the Department of Biotechnology before being transferred. The CIC considers DPIIT's reply appropriate but requires the affidavit to close the appeal officially.