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Central Information Commission

Raj Kumar Tawra vs Department Of Posts on 15 January, 2026

                                       केन्द्रीय सूचना आयोग
                             Central Information Commission
                                  बाबा गंगनाथ मागग,मुननरका
                              Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
                                  नई निल्ली, New Delhi - 110067
नितीय अपील संख्या / Second Appeal No. CIC/POSTS/A/2024/141125

Raj Kumar Tawra                                                   ... अपीलकताग/Appellant

                                       VERSUS
                                        बनाम
CPIO: Department Of Posts,
Baghpat                                                       ...प्रनतवािीगण/Respondents

Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:

RTI : 06.09.2024                  FA   : 21.09.2024               SA     : 21.12.2024
CPIO : 12.09.2024 &
                                  FAO : 15.10.2024                Hearing : 06.01.2026
24.10.2024

Date of Decision: 12.01.2026
                                           CORAM:
                                     Hon'ble Commissioner
                                   _ANANDI RAMALINGAM
                                          ORDER

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 06.09.2024 seeking information on the following points:

1. Please provide the details of documents are essential for opening of saving/RD account in post office.

2. Please provide the details is aadhar card is mandatory or optional for fixed deposit scheme. If so please provide G.O. number date and year.

3. Please write the address of first appealing officer, his mob. No. and post of the officer.

2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 12.09.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-

1. Available on India Post website-www.indiapost.gov.in.

2. Available on India Post website-www.indiapost.gov.in.

3. The first appellate officer- Sh. Praveen Kumar, Mob. No.- 0581-2511136, Post- Director Postal Services & office address- PMG Bareilly Region, Bareilly.

3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 21.09.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 15.10.2024 directed the CPIO to provide appropriate information on point no. 1 & 2 of RTI application.

4. In compliance of the FAA order, the CPIO replied vide letter dated 24.10.2024 and the same is reproduced as under: -

1. Regarding details of documents for opening of accounts Government savings Promotion General Rules- 2018 & SB Order 08/2023 is Available on India Post website- www.indiapost.gov.in

2. Government savings Promotion General Rules-2018 & SB Order 08/2023 is Available on India Post website-www.indiapost.gov.in

5. Aggrieved with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 21.12.2024.

6. The appellant and on behalf of the respondent M. Ayub Khan, Suptd. Of Posts, attended the hearing through video conference.

7. The appellant inter alia submitted that the respondent had not provided the accurate information, as sought in his RTI application.

8. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that in compliance of the FAA's order, they had provided a revised reply dated 24.10.2024 mentioning the extant rules to the appellant. The written submissions dated 18.12.2025 given by the respondent are taken on record and are reproduced as under:

"In compliance with the Notice of Hearing issued by the Hon'ble Central Information Commission in the above-mentioned matter, the undersigned respectfully submits the following written submission for kind consideration:

1. That the RTI application dated 06.09.2024 was duly received in this office and was examined as per the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005.

2. That point-wise information in respect of points 01, 02 and 03 of the RTI application was furnished to the applicant vide this office letter No. RTI Cell/September-24/09/2024-25 dated 12.09.2024.

3. That the informant preferred a First Appeal dated 21.09.2024 before the First Appellate Authority.

4. That the First Appellate Authority, DPS, Bareilly Region after examining the RTI application, the reply of the CPIO and the relevant records, passed a speaking order dated 15.10.2024 disposing off the First Appeal..

5. That in compliance with the said FAA Order dated 15.10.2024, this office.

furnished point-wise information to the appellant vide this officeletter No. RTI Cell/September-24/09/2024-25 dated 24.10.2024.

6. That while furnishing the reply, the applicant was clearly informed that:

(a) The Government Savings Promotion General Rules, 2018, and

(b) SB Order No. 08/2023,governing the subject matter of the RTI application, are available on the official website of India Post (www.indiapost.gov.in).

7. That the information sought by the applicant pertains to existing rules and instructions already in the public domain, and no information has been denied or withheld by this office.

8. That the directions issued by the First Appellate Authority have been fully complied with, and copies of the compliance reply were duly served upon the appellant.

9. That this office has acted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005, and has provided all available and relevant information as sought by the applicant."

9. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observes that an appropriate response has been given by the CPIO, as per records maintained with them. Further, the CPIO having affirmed that the information is available in public domain, the appellant is at liberty to access the requisitioned information from the said source. In this regard, the appellant's attention is drawn towards the observations passed by Delhi High Court in Registrar of Companies & Ors. Vs. Dharmendra Kumar Garg & Anr. [W.P.(C) 11271/2009], dated 01.06.2012, wherein the following was observed:

"12. The RTI Act very clearly sets the course for the evolution of the RTI regime, which is that less and less information should be progressively held by public authorities, which would be accessed under the RTI Act and more and more of such held information should be brought into the public domain suo-motu by such public authority. Once the information is brought into the public domain it is excluded from the purview of the RTI Act and, the right to access this category of information shall be on the basis of whether the public authority discloses it free, or at such cost of the medium or the print cost price "as may be prescribed".

In view of the above, there appears to be no infirmity with the reply dated 24.10.2024 given by the CPIO, in compliance with the FAA's order, hence, no further action is warranted in the matter. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.

Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.

Sd/-

(Anandi Ramalingam) (आनंदी रामल ंगम) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयुक्त) निनां क/Date: 12.01.2026 Page 4 of 5 Authenticated true copy O. P. Pokhriyal (ओ.पी. पोखररयाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 Addresses of the parties:

1. The CPIO O/o. The Superintendent Of Post Offices, CPIO, Department Of Posts, Baghpat Division, Baghpat, UP-250609

2. Raj Kumar Tawra Page 5 of 5 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-

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