Central Information Commission
Smt. Iranna Ajjampur vs Rural / Gramin Banks on 4 April, 2024
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/2022/650970
Smt. Iranna Ajjampur ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO: Karnataka Vikas
Grameen Bank ... ितवादीगण/Respondents
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI : 11.08.2022 FA : 26.08.2022 SA : 20.09.2022
CPIO : 16.08.2022/
FAO : 29.08.2022 Hearing : 02.04.2024
30.08.2022
Date of Decision: 03.04.2024
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 11.08.2022 seeking debit and credit statement of Account no. 890644XXXXX from 4 March 2016 to 11 August 2022.
2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 16.08.2022 and the same is reproduced as under:-
"We wish to inform you that information sought by you is not available with us. As this matter falls within the jurisdiction of Regional Manager/PIO, K.V.G Bank, Regional Office Haveri, we have transferred your application to Regional Page 1 of 4 Manager/PIO, K.V.G Bank, RO Haveri under section 6(3) of RTI Act, 2005 for further necessary action.
3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 26.08.2022 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 29.08.2022, the same is stated as under:
"Transferred RTI application number is RTI-39/2022-23. We have transferred your application to Regional Manager/PIO, K.V.G Bank, RO Haveri under section 6(3) of RTI Act, 2005. Reply to your RTI application will be sent within 30 days as per RTI Act,2005."
Subsequently, the CPIO, Haveri Branch, had informed the appellant that he was required to deposit fee, and the extract is reproduced as under:
"For further necessary action. Accordingly, RO Haveri has furnished RTI reply on 30.08.2022 stated as under: "The account statement for the specified period is having 41 pages and as per guidelines of the Bank, service charges of Rs.2419/- is applicable for providing the account statement. The sought information will be furnished on receipt of the said service charge". However, the said applicant has field first appeal before first appellant authority i.e. General Manager (CPIO) on 26.08.2022 and the reply has been furnished by PDD HO on 29.08.2022. Despite of acknowledging the reply, RTI applicant has field second before ClC, New Delhi."
4. Aggrieved with the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 20.09.2022.
5. The appellant remained absent and on behalf of the respondent Shri T.U. Bhagwat, and Shri Vinod Kadam, Chief Manager, attended the hearing through video conference.
6. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that in furtherance of the RTI application being transferred, the CPIO had informed the appellant vide letter dated 30.08.2022 that he was required to deposit service charges. However, the appellant Page 2 of 4 had not responded to their communication. Further, they relied upon their latest written submissions, extracts thereof are reproduced as under:
"Appellant herein had submitted RTI application dated 12.08.2022 through respondent No.1 herein above received by the Resp no. 2 on 18.A8.2022. The appellant had sought the statement of account for his SB account No. 89064490056 with the Shiggaon branch of the respondent Bank for the period from 04.03.2016 to 11.08.2022. The respondent No.2 has immediately on receipt of the application obtained the details from the branch concerned and on verifying the details sent a letter dated 30.08.2022 to the applicant for his RTI application by way of registered post, requesting him "to Pay the requisite service charges for providing the account statement for the specified period. The said information will be furnished upon receipt of the said service charges." However, as appearing from the endorsement of the postal authorities, the said postal cover has been returned as the applicant did not receive the post. The reason for returning of post was clearly mentioned as "Unclaimed, returned to sender". The same has been enclosed for you information.
Ongoing through the RTI Application dated 1208.2022 and Appeal dated 26082022, and as per CIC advice on 02.04.2024,we wish to inform you that, you have to pay the requisite service charges of Rs.50+GST per page (Rs.50+g GST= 59 Rupees per page) for providing the account statement for the specified period and the said information will be furnished upon receipt of the said service charges."
7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the respondent and perusal of records, observes that the CPIO has provided an appropriate reply to the RTI Application on 30.08.2022 and again on 26.03.2024. However, in the absence of the appellant and any written submissions thereof, it could not be ascertained as to whether he received the communications dated 30.08.2022 and 26.03.2024 and whether he deposited the requisite fee. Therefore, there is no lapse on the part of the CPIO. However, in case, the appellant deposits the requisite fee, the CPIO may furnish copies of Page 3 of 4 the account statements desired in the RTI application, within 15 days from the date of receipt of such fee. Accordingly, the appeal is 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: 03.04.2024 Authenticated true copy Col S S Chhikara (Retd) (कनल एस एस िछकारा, ( रटायड)) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 Addresses of the parties:
1. The CPIO Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank, Nodal CPIO, RTI Cell, Head Office: Dharward, P. B.No.-111, Belagavi Road, Dharwad-580008
2. The CPIO Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank, RM & Nodal CPIO, RTI Cell, Sri Renuka Arcade, No.-157/B/K/19, Opposite To New APMC Market, Ashwani Nagar, Hangal Road, Tehsil & Distt-Haveri, Karnataka-581110
3. Smt. Iranna Ajjampur Page 4 of 4 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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