Central Information Commission
Vijay Kumar Gupta vs State Bank Of India on 6 October, 2016
Central Information Commission
Room No.307, II Floor, B Wing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066
website-cic.gov.in
Appeal No. CIC/MP/A/2016/000676
Appellant : Shri Vijay Kumar Gupta, Panchkula
Public Authority : State Bank of India, Ferozepur Cantt.
Date of Hearing : September 20, 2016
Date of Decision : September 20, 2016
Present:
Appellant : Present - through VC
Respondent : Shri Sushil Kumar, RM & CPIO - through VC
RTI application : 15.09.2015
CPIO's reply : 17.10.2015, 01.01.2016
First appeal : 19.11.2015
FAA's order : 17.12.2015
Second appeal : 27.01.2016
ORDER
1. Shri Vijay Kumar Gupta, the appellant, sought information pertaining to the payment of Rs. 900/- which, he stated, was paid to the employees of the respondent bank during Diwali from the Staff Welfare Fund. He was transferred from the Malout branch during October-November, 2014, and was posted at RBO Ferozepur, alleging that he did not receive this amount. He sought details about (i) the names and designations of the persons who had misappropriated the amount, and action taken against them with regard to the same; (ii) the distribution/utilization of the Staff Welfare Fund by the Malout branch during the period October-November, 2014; (iii) reasons for non-payment of an amount of Rs. 900/- to the appellant; and (iv) status of payment of the same.
2. The CPIO, vide letter dated 17.10.2015, intimated the appellant that information sought by the appellant on points 1, 3 and 4 did not come within the purview of information as defined u/s 2(f) of the RTI Act. As regards information sought on point 2, the CPIO informed the appellant that Rs. 26,100/- was received by the Malout branch for the purpose of the Staff Welfare Fund, during October, 2014, which was utilized for staff welfare activities. Dissatisfied, he approached the FAA stating that information sought should be provided and further, appropriate action should be taken for misappropriation of funds against the delinquent officials. The FAA concurred with the CPIO's decision on points 2, 3 and 4. However, the FAA directed the CPIO to provide information sought on point 1 to the appellant, if the same was available. The CPIO, in compliance with the FAA's order, vide letter dated 01.01.2016, intimated the appellant that there was no misappropriation of funds, and that the funds were utilised as per the bank's laid down instructions. Aggrieved with the response, the appellant came in appeal before the Commission stating that the public authority should be directed to provide the information sought and to take appropriate action in the matter.
3. The matter was heard by the Commission. The appellant argued that the respondent had credited an amount of Rs. 900/- in his account on 22.09.2015, as this amount was meant to be paid in cash for festivals/gatherings etc. He contended that somebody had misappropriated the amount due to him and had deposited the money later when he sought information under the RTI Act. The respondent stated that the appellant was working as a Chief Manager with the bank till his retirement. He informed the Commission that no cash to the tune of Rs. 900/- was deposited in any employee's account. Further, there were no signatures on the pay-in-slip nor was there any transfer entry, in this regard, in the bank's records. They, as per practice, spend the amount received for the purpose of serving sweet meals, etc. for festivals, get-togethers, etc. and no amount is paid to anyone in cash.
4. On hearing both the parties, the Commission directs the CPIO to (i) confirm to the appellant that no cash to the tune of Rs. 900/- was deposited in any employee's account; and (ii) provide a copy of the pay-in-slip to the appellant, within 10 days of receipt of this order. The appeal is disposed of.
(Manjula Prasher) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(T.K. Mohapatra) Dy Secy & Dy Registrar Tele No. 011-26105027 Copy to :
The Central Public Information Officer The First Appellate Authority State Bank of India General Manager (Network I) Region-IV, Regional Business Office State Bank of India 120, Church Road, Ferozepur Cantt Local Head Office Ferozepur, Punjab Sector 17-B, Chandigarh Shri Vijay Kumar Gupta House No-955, Sector-4 Panchkula- 134 112