Central Information Commission
Mr.Bihari Lal vs Department Of Financial Services on 13 December, 2011
1
Central Information Commission
Room No.307, II Floor, B Wing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New
Delhi110066
Telefax:01126180532 & 01126107254 websitecic.gov.in
Appeal: No. CIC/DS/A/2011/000842
Appellant /Complainant : Shri Bihari Lal, Almora (Uttarakhand)
Public Authority : SBI, Almora/New Delhi
(Shri Rajesh Ahluwalia, AGM - through
Videoconferencing)
Date of Hearing : 13 December 2011
Date of Decision : 13 December 2011
Facts:
1. By preferring RTI application dated 18 September 2009, Shri Bihari Lal sought information from the CPIO, State Bank of India, Ranikhet regarding action taken by them in respect of release of the arrears of pension due to him following the announcement of the Sixth Pay Commission, through six points.
2. Vide CPIO order of 14 September 2010, information was furnished to the appellant with did not satisfy him.
3. Appellant preferred appeal dated 13 October 2010 before the first appellate authority which was decided vide FAA order of 21 December 2010 by upholding the order of the CPIO. Appellant was advised to launch interest claim on the late payment of pensionary awards to the appropriate authority.
4. Appellant preferred second appeal before the Commission. Matter was heard today via videoconferencing from Almora where both parties as above were present in person and made submissions.
Appeal: No. CIC/DS/A/2011/000842 2
5. Respondent CPIO stated that the delay of one year in providing information to the appellant was on account of the fact that the RTI application had been misplaced. Subsequently on receiving the Commission's order of 30 July 2010, action was taken to provide information to the appellant and also to redress his grievance. He also stated that delay was on account of the fact that previously pension was paid by the branches of the Bank but that the system was changed and task was assigned to the Centralized Pension Processing Cell located at Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Appellant complained that he had still not received information as sought against the six points listed in his RTI application and also that he had to undergo great inconvenience and strain on account of delay in release of arrears which were due to him around mid 2009 but were in fact received by him in September 2010.
Decision notice
6. After hearing both parties, Commission directs respondent to provide point wise information to the appellant as sought by him in his RTI application within one week of receipt of the order. Through this order, notice is issued to the CPIO to show cause why compensation of Rs. 5000 should not be paid to the appellant for the physical and mental harassment undergone by him due to delay in furnishing of information by the CPIO and also why penalty should not be imposed upon the CPIO for not having furnished information to the appellant within the timeframe stipulated under the RTI Act. Opportunity of personal hearing is given to the CPIO and he is directed to appear before the Commission on 13.2.2012 at 11.00 AM at NIC District Centre, Colletorate, Almora263601 (Uttarakhand), Contact Officer : Mr. Anil Kumar Arya, Technical Director & DIO and Contact Nos: 05962231089 / 234714 (Smt. Deepak Sandhu) Appeal: No. CIC/DS/A/2011/000842 3 Information Commissioner (DS) Authenticated true copy:
(T. K. Mohapatra) Dy. Secretary & Dy. Registrar Tel. No. 01126105027 Copy to:
1. Shri Bihari Lal Ex. Sr.Auditor, Anand Vihar, Old Abkari Ranikhet263645, District - Almora (Uttarakhand)
2. The CPIO Regional Manager State Bank of India, Regional Office RegionVI, Hotel Shikhar Mall Road, Almora263601 (Uttarakhand) 3 The Appellate Authority General Manager (Network2) State Bank of India, Local Head Office 11, Parliament Street New Delhi110001.
Appeal: No. CIC/DS/A/2011/000842