Central Information Commission
Nitin Kumar vs Andhra Bank on 13 July, 2018
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Room No. 302, CIC Bhawan, Baba Gang Nath Marg,
Munirka, New Delhi-110067
Decision No. CIC/ANDBK/A/2017/602301 Dated 12.07.2018
Nitin Kumar vs. CPIO, Andhra Bank, Zonal Office, Garh Road, Meerut
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI: 20.09.2016 FA: 27.10.2016 SA: 03.05.2017
CPIO: 13.10.2016 FAAO: 01.12.2016 Hearing: 11.07.2018
ORDER
1. The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) Andhra Bank, Head Office, Hyderabad seeking information on five points pertaining to unauthorized deduction of SMS service charges from his account with Bijnor Branch, including, inter-alia, (i) whether the Branch can impose message alert service without the consent of customer, and (ii) whether the Branch is authorized to enroll a customer in Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) without his consent.
2. The appellant filed a second appeal before the Commission on the grounds that CPIO has not provided the copies of consent letters signed by him to activate SMS alert service and to enrol in PMSBY on point nos. 1 and 2 of the RTI application. The appellant requested the Commission to direct the respondent to provide the deisred information.
Hearing:
3. The appellant, Shri Nitin Kumar attended the hearing through video- conferencing. The respondent was not present despite notice.
Page 1 of 34. The appellant submitted that the CPIO has not provided a copy of the consent letter(s) given by him to deduct charges from his account towards SMS Alert Service and premium for PMSBY. The appellant further stated that the Bank has been deducting an annual charge of Rs. 12/- from his account under the PMSBY without his consent.
Decision:
5. The Commission, after hearing the submissions of the appellant and perusing the records, directs the respondent to provide document(s)/proof pertaining to the enrollment of the appellant, with his consent, for SMS Alert service and PMSBY as sought vide point nos. 1 and 2 of the RTI application to the appellant within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order under intimation to this Commission.
6. The Commission further takes a serious view of the absence of the CPIO despite notice. The Commission directs the CPIO, Andhra Bank, Zonal Office, Pinnacle Tower, Garh Road, Meerut to submit a written statement before the Commission, explaining his absence, along with the comments of the First Appellate Authority, before 30.07.2018 both by post and through e- mail at [email protected].
7. With the above observations, the appeal is disposed of.
8. Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
(Sudhir Bhargava) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy (S.S. Rohilla) Designated Officer Page 2 of 3 Addresses of the parties:
1. The First Appellate Authority (FAA) Andhra Bank, Zonal Office, Legal Department, Pinnacle Tower, Garh Road, Meerut- 250002.
2. The Central Public Information Officer, Andhra Bank, Zonal Office, Legal Department, Pinnacle Tower, Garh Road, Meerut- 250002.
3. Shri Nitin Kumar Page 3 of 3