Central Information Commission
Shaik Kareemulla vs Rural / Gramin Banks on 6 June, 2025
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग,मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई द ली, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं या / Second Appeal No. CIC/RUGBK/A/2024/111056
Shaik Kareemulla ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO: Andhra Pragathi
Grameena Bank, Rajampeta, ... ितवादीगण/Respondent
A. P
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI : 18.12.2023 FA : 10.02.2024 SA : 28.03.2024
CPIO : Not on record FAO : Not on record Hearing : 04.06.2025
Date of Decision: 05.06.2025
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 18.12.2023 seeking information on the following points:
1. Please provide a certified copy of information how much Crop Death Benefit Amount Credited or not My Father Account No is: ******1694 In Your Andra Pragathi Grameena Bank Siddavatam Branch.
2. Please Provide a Certified Copy of following Information above Account No If Crop Death Benefit Amount Credited? any Application submitted or not? If Submitted Please Provide Certified Copy Page 1 of 3
3. Please Provide a Certified Copy of Information, above Account No any PMSBY Scheme amount Debited? If Have PMSBY Scheme, How many years amount Debited years wise Statement. Please Provide Certified Copy.
2. Having not received any response from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal on 10.02.2024. FAA's order, if any, is not available on record.
3. Aggrieved with the non-receipt of the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 28.03.2024.
4. The appellant and on behalf of the respondent Susanta Kumar Swaro, AGM, attended the hearing through video conference.
5. The appellant submitted that no response was provided by the respondent to his RTI application.
6. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the CPIO had furnished a response to the RTI application vide letter dated 25.01.2024. The respondent reiterated that the appellant's queries regarding the PMSBY account of his deceased father could not be addressed through the RTI mechanism, advising the appellant to approach the concerned branch for such information.
7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observes that the respondent did not respond to the RTI application in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005. The respondent, being a public authority, is obligated to respond to the RTI application as per the Act, either by providing the information if it is available on record or to claim appropriate exemptions as provided under Sections 8 or 9. In view of the CPIO's response dated 25.01.2024, which directed the appellant to approach the bank for addressing his queries instead of providing a response as mandated under the RTI Act, and further considering the CPIO's inability to provide proper submissions during the hearing, the Commission hereby directs the respondent to furnish a written explanation for the improper handling of the RTI application. The said explanation shall be submitted to the Commission within 15 days of the receipt of this order, by post and by uploading them on Page 2 of 3 http://dsscic.nic.in/online-link-paper-compliance/add. The Commission also notes that the FAA failed to adjudicate the appellant's first appeal. In this regard, the Commission strictly cautions the FAA against such lapses and advises it to ensure proper adjudication of such appeals in the future.
8. The Commission further directs the respondent to furnish a point-wise reply to the appellant's RTI application in strict compliance with the provisions of the RTI Act within 15 days of receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. In light of the above directions, the appeal is accordingly disposed of.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
(Anandi Ramalingam) (आनंदी राम लंगम) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) दनांक/Date: 05.06.2025 Authenticated true copy O. P. Pokhriyal (ओ. पी. पोख रयाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 Addresses of the parties:
1. The CPIO Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank, Regional Office, 9/380-A, Besides Sarada Vidyalayam, Madras Road, Mannur, Rajampeta, Andhra Pradesh -
516 115
2. Shaik Kareemulla Page 3 of 3 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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