Ashish Devidas Thakare vs Bank Of India on 29 August, 2023

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Central Information Commission

Ashish Devidas Thakare vs Bank Of India on 29 August, 2023

1. The issue under consideration arising out of the second appeal dated Nil include non-receipt of the following information sought by the appellant through the RTI application dated 16.09.2021 and first appeal dated 11.10.2021:-

(i) Details of the action taken on the application made on 06/08/2019 for the priority use of Marathi language in your branch should be given

(ii) Marathi is the official language of the State of Maharashtra and according to the Three Language policy of the Reserve Bank of India, it is compulsory for you to use Marathi as a language of preference. But your Employees decline for using it's in your daily official use so please provide attested copy of use Marathi Language In priority based on your all branches issued by bank of India Page 1 of 5

(iii) Marathi is the official language of the State of Maharashtra and according to the Three Language policy of the Reserve Bank of India, it is compulsory for you to use Marathi as a language of preference. An attested copy of the order or circular issued by your bank from time to time should be provided to encourage learning.

(iv) After the lodged a complaint with customer your branch what is the rules and regulations laid down by the bank and how's taken action based on rules or guideline made by bank and what is the time limit of complaint reply

(v) After my complaint/ service request letter dated 06/08/2019 what action taken from your headquarters at the time of publishing all bank stationery, how many time given instruction all stationary will be published in Marathi language also, please provide attested copy of the action given by request letter from 06/08/2019 to till toady.

(vi) Give full details Of first appellant officer

2. Succinctly facts of the case are that the appellant filed an application dated 16.09.2021under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Bank of India, Mumbai, seeking aforesaid information. The CPIO vide letter dated 29.09.2021 replied to the appellant. Aggrieved by the same, the appellant filed first appeal dated 11.10.2021 The First Appellate Authority (FAA) vide order dated 26.10.2021 disposed of the first appeal. Aggrieved by that, the appellant filed second appeal dated Nil before the Commission which is under consideration.

3. The appellant has filed the instant appeal dated Nil inter alia on the grounds that reply given by the CPIO was not satisfactory. The appellant requested the Commission to direct the CPIO to provide the complete information and take necessary action as per Section 20 (1) of the RTI Act.

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4. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 29.09.2021 and the same is reproduced as under:-

(i) "Regarding the action taken on your letter dated 06/08/2019, we would like to inform that the Official Language Policy is strictly implemented in Bank of India.

In this context, guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India as well as the Central Government are followed. At the same time, the Bank has also implemented a three language formula policy with due emphasis on the local language. Stationery is printed in three languages. Dealing with customers all leading employees are trained in Marathi. And language is always a barrier when dealing with customers.

(ii) Officials at Bank of India can be transferred anywhere in India. However, in the case of clerks, at the time of recruitment, it is ensured that they are proficient in the language. There is no circular advising bank employees to speak in Marathi.

(iii) As mentioned in the above paragraph, the officers may be transferred to any place in India as required and the officers posted in the sensitive departments should be transferred every three years. Therefore, learning the local language is not expected from the officer. However, such officers are always supported and encouraged by the local language speaking staff.

(iv) According to the bank's grievance redressed policy, it is important to respond to the complaint as soon as possible. Grievance Redressed Policy Bank's website https://www.bankofindia.co.in/redressalpolicy

(v) Information not available.

(vi) If you are not satisfied with the answers given above, you can file an appeal with the following authority within 30 days.

Name : Slime Narayn Siha devdha Designation : FPIO Add : bank Of india, Mumbai west division, bank of India Building, Opp. Natarj market, S. V. Road, Malad (W) Mumbai"

The FAA vide order dated 26.10.2021 upheld CPIO reply.

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5. The appellant remained absent and on behalf of the respondent Shri Ashwini Kumar Negi, CPIO, Bank of India, Mumbai attended the hearing through video conference.

5.1. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the appellant had sought information in his RTI application in Marathi language and they had translated the application in order to respond to the same. They further stated they had provided point-wise information to the appellant vide letter dated 29.09.2021 along wth a translated version of it in Marathi language.

6. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case,hearing the respondentand perusal of records, observed that due reply was given by the CPIO on 29.09.2021. Moreover, perusal of records revealed that the respondent had responded to the queries in the RTI application in Marathi language, as per the request made by the appellant. That being so, and in the absence of the appellant and any written objections, the averments made by the respondent were taken on record. There appears to be no public interest in further prolonging the matter. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.

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

Sd/-

(Suresh Chandra) (सुसुरेशचं ा) ा सूचनाआयु ) Information Commissioner (सू दनांक/Date: 25.08.2023 Authenticated true copy R. Sitarama Murthy (आर. सीताराममूत#) Dy. Registrar (उपपंजीयक) 011-26181927(०११-२६१८१९२७) Addresses of the parties:

THE CPIO: Bank Of India RTI Cell, Legal Department, 4th Floor, East Wing, Star House, C-5, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra(EAST), Mumbai 400051 Page 4 of 5 THE FIRST APPELLATE AUTHORITY Bank Of India RTI Cell, Legal Department, 4th Floor, East Wing, Star House, C-5, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra(EAST), Mumbai 400051 SHRI ASHISH DEVIDAS THAKARE Page 5 of 5

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