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Central Information Commission

Mrg S Gupta vs Punjab National Bank on 8 August, 2016

                            Central Information Commission
     Room No.307, II Floor, B Wing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place,
                                 New Delhi-110066
                                 website-cic.gov.in

                          Case No. CIC/MP/A/2016/000767

      Appellant                     : Shri G.S. Gupta, Jaipur.


      Public Authority              : Punjab National Bank, Jaipur.

      Date of Hearing               : 02nd August, 2016.

      Date of Decision              : 08th August, 2016.

      Present
      Appellant                     : Present through VC.

      Respondent                    : Shri A.K. Jain, AGM through VC.

      RTI application               : 07.11.2015
      CPIO's reply                  : 05.12.2015
      First Appeal                  : 31.12.2015
      FAA's order                   : 29.01.2016
      Second Appeal                 : 25.02.2016


      Information Commissioner : Manjula Prasher

                                       ORDER

1. The appellant, Shri G.S. Gupta, submitted RTI application before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Punjab National Bank, Jaipur seeking copy of rates of buy-back goods, in response to CPIO's letter dated 20.5.2015; the posting place of Shri Ramjas Jangid after his promotion as Senior Manager; the place of posting of Shri Sukhlal Jain, Chief Manager after his promotion; the number of one rupee currency bundles sent by RBI to PNB, Currency Chest, Jaipur; to which branch these currency notes were sent for distribution to the staff and also sought to know whether retired staff members were also included for distribution of these currency notes; he alleged that Shri Rakesh Shukla, DGM had kept these packets of one rupee notes for distribution to his relatives and friends etc. through seven points.

2. The CPIO informed the appellant that the tender papers in respect of 23 branches were available in 3680 pages and requested him to send photocopying charges @ Rs. 2/- per page, on point 1; provided information on points 2, 3; denied information on points 4, 5 and 7 stating that information relating to currency chest could not be provided under the provisions of Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act, 2005 and information sought at point 6did not fall under the definition of information as per Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, 2005. Dissatisfied with the decision of the CPIO, the appellant filed an appeal before the first appellate authority (FAA). The FAA vide order dated 29.01.2016 concurred with the decision of the CPIO.

3. Aggrieved with the decision of the respondents, the appellant filed the instant appeal before the Commission.

4. The matter was heard by the Commission. The appellant stated that information on points 1 to 3 had been provided by the CPIO. The information on points 3 to 7 was denied by the CPIO pertaining to the distribution of currency notes of Re. 1/-. He stated that the RBI informed that PNB had received 1000 bundles of one rupee notes. The respondents denied information u/s 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act, 2005. The respondents stated that the appellant was working with PNB. He took loan from the PNB, which become NPA. He raised about 26 RTI applications and 18 first appeals. He made allegations against a number of employees of PNB. They stated that movement of cash could not be disclosed because of security reasons. On points 3 to 7 the appellant sought information relating to currency chest.

5. Having considered the submissions of both the parties, the Commission directs the CPIO to the number of bundles of one rupee currency notes received from RBI for its distribution during the month of July, 2016, to the appellant within fifteen days of the receipt of the order of the Commission.  The Commission also advises the appellant to use the rights available to him under the RTI Act in a diligent manner so as to enable the public authority to use its time and resources for providing information expeditiously and efficiently.

(Manjula Prasher) Information Commissioner CIC/MP/A/2016/000767 2 Authenticated true copy:

Deputy Registrar Address of the parties:

Shri G.S. Gupta, Vigyan Bhawan, 8039, Patel Marg, Mansarowar, Jaipur-302020.

The Central Public Information Officer, Punjab National Bank, Inspection and Audit Department, Circle Office-2, Nehru Place, Tonk Road, Jaipur-302015.

The First Appellate Authority, Punjab National Bank, Inspection and Audit Department, Circle Office-2, Nehru Place, Tonk Road, Jaipur-302015.