Central Information Commission
Amitava Roy vs Punjab National Bank on 20 March, 2025
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गं गनाथ माग,मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं ा / Second Appeal No. (As Per Annexure)
Amitava Roy ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO: Punjab National Bank,
Tripura, West ... ितवादीगण/Respondent
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal(s):
Sl. No. Second Date of Date of Date of Date of Date of
Appeal RTI CPIO's First FAA's Second
No. Application Reply Appeal Order Appeal
1. 616598 29.01.2024 15.02.2024 22.02.2024 Not on Nil
record
2. 612357 03.01.2024 08.01.2024 11.01.2024 Not on Nil
record
3. 608444 22.12.2023 08.01.2024 10.01.2024 Not on Nil
record
4. 606201 24.11.2023 18.12.2023 21.12.2023 Not on Nil
record
The instant set of appeals have been clubbed for decision as these relate to similar
RTI Applications and same subject matter.
Date of Hearing: 07.03.2025
Date of Decision: 19.03.2025
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
Page 1 of 11
Second Appeal No. CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/616598
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 29.01.2024 seeking information on the following points:
In inviting a reference to the attached reply dated 18.12.2023 Issued by the CPIO, PNB pursuant to my submitted RTI petition no- PNBNK/R/E/23/02935, I humbly inform you that, the CPIO has clearly mentioned in his/her said Reply that I had submitted the only two documents-1. Approved map of competent authority & 2. Proof of Ownership or any other documents in support of property with the technical bid.
He also mentioned that the Copy of latest Electricity Bill, Tax receipt, Copy of Aadhaar Card and PAN Card of Owner, Copy of Fire NOC and Completion/Occupation Certificate wherever applicable & NOC for commercial use of premises not submitted by me with the said technical bid. In view of the above, as per u/s 6(1) Subject to the provision of RTI Act 2005, kindly
1. Provide me with the supporting document/s, which shows that the PNB Authority sought the said documents i.e. the Copy of latest Electricity Bill, Tax receipt, Copy of Aadhaar Card and PAN Card of Owner, Copy of Fire NOC and Completion/ Occupation Certificate wherever applicable & NOC for commercial use of premises from me in the due process.
2. Provide me with the supporting document/s, which shows that I denied to provide the said documents i.e. the Copy of latest Electricity Bill, Tax receipt, Copy of Aadhaar Card and PAN Card of Owner, Copy of Fire NOC and Completion/ Occupation Certificate wherever applicable & NOC for commercial use of premises even after asked by the PNB Authority.Page 2 of 11
3. Provide me with the supporting document/s, which shows that the PNB Authority intimated in the due process that the offer of premises will be rejected if the said documents i.e. the Copy of latest Electricity Bill, Tax receipt, Copy of Aadhaar Card and PAN Card of Owner, Copy of Fire NOC and Completion/Occupation Certificate wherever applicable & NOC for commercial use of premises will not be submitted with the technical bid. 1.1. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 15.02.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-
"We would like to inform you that, as per our advertisement dated 31-07-2023, It was mentioned that, Technical cum Eligibility bid will be open on 04-09-2023 at our Circle office Agartala in presence of interested bidders. It was duly opened on the same date in presence of interested bidders at our Circle office Agartala. Neither you nor any of your representative was present at our circle office- Agartala on the day of opening of technical bids. Your Technical bid was declined at ab initio and not considered as a Valid technical bid, on the basis of merit, as it was submitted without minimum required documents as mentioned in the point No.36(Documents to be submitted with technical bid) of Terms and Conditions of the advertisement (Annexure -I B), also 1 no. signature was missing in the technical bid submitted by you. Since the Bid was not considered as a valid technical Bid no further evaluation has been processed in this regard.
As per Point No.35 of Terms & Conditions of our advertisement dated 31-07-2023 it was clearly mentioned that, The Bank reserves the right to accept or reject any or all the bids without assigning any reason whatsoever, However a line of communication has been made to you after completion of the process via letter on good faith."
1.2. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 22.02.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. FAA's order, if any, is not available on record.
Page 3 of 111.3. Aggrieved with the non-receipt of the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated Nil. Second Appeal No. CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/612357
2. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 03.01.2024 seeking information on the following points:
In inviting a reference to the attached letter vide no- PNB/COAGT/ADVT/4/2023- 24/991 dated so called 12.09.2023 Issued by the Chief Manager, GSAD, PNB, I humbly inform you that I have received the said reply on 23.12.2023 through speed post vide no- EE440679352IN in pursuance to my submitted offer dated 22.08.2023.
In view of the above, as per u/s 6(1) Subject to the provision of RTI Act 2005, kindly -
1. Provide me with the Receipt Copy of the said Speed Post no- EE440679352IN through which the said vide no- PNB/COAGT/ADVT/4/2023-24/991 dated so called 12.09.2023 has been sent to my home address.
2. Provide me with the information about the specific date on which the said Speed Post no- EE440679352IN has been posted from your end to my home address. 2.1. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 08.01.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-
"The letter was signed in the CLBC meeting dated 12.09.2023 and letter was disposed in the month of December 2023."
2.2. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 11.01.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. FAA's order, if any, is not available on record. 2.3. Aggrieved with the non-receipt of the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated Nil.
Page 4 of 11Second Appeal No. CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/608444
3. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 22.12.2023 seeking information on the following points:
I have submitted a First Appeal petition with Registration No:
PNBNK/A/E/23/00503 on 03.08.2023 addressed to the FAA, Punjab National Bank (FA petition copy & Present Status of my said submitted First Appeal petition are attached with this petition).
As per u/s 19(6) Subject to the provision of the RTI Act, 2005 - An appeal under sub section (1) or sub section (2) shall be disposed of within thirty days of the receipt of the appeal or within such extended period not exceeding a total of forty five days from the date of filing thereof, as the case may be for reasons to be recorded in writing.
Now, as per my limited knowledge, 45 (forty five) days have already been completed a long time ago. But I have not yet received any response in pursuance to my said submitted First Appeal petition.
In view of the above, as per u/s 6(1) Subject to the provision of RTI Act 2005, kindly -
1. Provide me with the copy of the ORDER issued by the said FAA in pursuance to my said submitted First Appeal petition with Registration No:- PNBNK/A/E/23/00503 dated 03.08.2023.
2. Provide me with the Receipt no & Copy of the Speed Post/Registered Posts Receipts through which the said ORDER decision copy issued by the FAA, PNB in pursuance to my said submitted First Appeal petition with Registration No: -
PNBNK/A/E/23/00503 dated 03.08.2023 has already been sent to my home address.Page 5 of 11
3. Provide me with the copy of the Reply issued by the said CPIO in pursuance to the ORDER issued by the FAA, PNB in pursuance to my said submitted First Appeal petition with Registration No: - PNBNK/A/E/23/00503 dated 03.08.2023.
3.1. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 08.01.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-
"As informed earlier also, we did not received the required documents (earlier mentioned), your application was rejected."
3.2. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 10.01.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. FAA's order, if any, is not available on record. 3.3. Aggrieved with the non-receipt of the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated Nil. Second Appeal No. CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/606201
4. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 24.11.2023 seeking information on the following points:
I have submitted a First Appeal petition with Registration No:
PNBNK/A/E/23/00503 on 03.08.2023 addressed to the FAA, Punjab National Bank (FA petition copy & Present Status of my said submitted First Appeal petition are attached with this petition).
As per u/s 19(6) Subject to the provision of the RTI Act, 2005 - An appeal under sub section (1) or sub section (2) shall be disposed of within thirty days of the receipt of the appeal or within such extended period not exceeding a total of forty five days from the date of filing thereof, as the case may be for reasons to be recorded in writing.Page 6 of 11
Now, as per my limited knowledge, 45 (forty five) days have already been completed a long time ago. But I have not yet received any response in pursuance to my said submitted First Appeal petition.
Again, in inviting a reference to the advertisement dated 31.07.2023 published in local daily- Dainik Sambad calling for offers for acquisition of premises for use of PNB-Agt. C.O, I humbly inform you that I have submitted my offer for leasing the premises for your said Office on 22.08.2023 addressed to the OM, PNB, Agt C.O, Durgabari Road as per the details mentioned in the said Advertisement. Receipt Copy of my said submitted offer for leasing the premises is attached with this petition.
But, surprisingly, I have not yet received any response. In view of the above, as per u/s 6(1) Subject to the provision of RTI Act 2005, kindly -
1. Provide me with the copy of the ORDER issued by the said FAA in pursuance to my said submitted First Appeal petition with Registration No: PNBNK/A /E/23/00503 dated 03.08.2023.
2. Provide me with the Receipt no & Copy of the Speed Post/Registered Posts Receipts through which the said ORDER decision copy issued by the FAA, PNB in pursuance to my said submitted First Appeal petition with Registration No:
PNBNK/A/E/23/00503 dated 03.08.2023 has already been sent to my home address.
3. Provide me with the copy of the Reply issued by the said CPIO in pursuance to the ORDER issued by the FAA, PNB in pursuance to my said submitted First Appeal petition with Registration No: PNBNK/A/E/23/00503 dated 03.08.2023.
4. Provide me with the information or supporting document/documents about the Present Position & Action Taken in pursuance to my said submitted offer dated Page 7 of 11 22.08.2023 for leasing the premises in pursuance to your said advertisement Published in Local Daily-Dainik Sambad, dated 31.07.2023.
5. Provide me with the information or supporting document/documents about the particular Rate on which the premises has been taken (if) on lease in pursuance to your said advertisement Published in Local Daily-Dainik Sambad, dated 31.07.2023.
..., etc./ other related information 4.1. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 18.12.2023 and the same is reproduced as under :-
"As the documents submitted by you were incomplete the application was rejected by our competent authority.
Documents to be submitted with technical bid are as below:
1. Approved map of competent authority
2. Copy of latest Electricity Bill, Tax receipt
3. Copy of Aadhar Card and PAN Card of Owner
4. Copy of Fire NOC and Completion/ Occupation Certificate wherever applicable
5. Proof of Ownership or any other documents in support of property
6. NOC for commercial use of premises You had submitted the only two below mentioned documents:
1. Approved map of competent authority
2. Proof of Ownership or any other documents in support of property"
4.2. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 21.12.2023 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. FAA's order, if any, is not available on record.
Page 8 of 114.3. Aggrieved with the non-receipt of the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated Nil. Hearing proceedings and Decision:-
5. The appellant remained absent during the hearing despite notice and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Kanchan Kanchi Das, Chief Manager, attended the hearing through video conference.
6. When enquired by the Commission regarding responses furnished to the RTI application in all four cases, the respondent is not aware of the facts of the cases.
7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the respondent and perusal of records, observes that the present CPIO, Mr. Kanchan Kanchi Das, Chief Manager is not well prepared with the facts of the case and is not able to furnish proper reply to the queries raised by the Commission during the hearing. The Commission even assisted the CPIO by calling out the dates of various RTI's but the CPIO could not locate the corresponding replies amongst the bunch of papers that he was in possession of. Further, the present CPIO has not made any efforts to submit his submission as mentioned in para 4 of the hearing notice w.r.t the cases listed for hearing even upon receipt of hearing notice on 15.02.2015. Furthermore, Mr. Kanchan Kanchi Das, Chief Manager, failed to explain the cogent reasons for his above-mentioned conduct also. The Commission expressed its displeasure over the conduct of Mr. Kanchan Kanchi Das, Chief Manager. The Commission, therefore, issues a Show- cause notice to Mr. Kanchan Kanchi Das, Chief Manager, as to why action under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act should not be initiated against them for above said conduct. The CPIO is directed to provide written explanation along with the comments of the First Appellate Authority by uploading on http://dsscic.nic.in/online-link-paper- compliance/add, within 25 days from the date of the receipt of this order.
Page 9 of 118. The Commission notes that in file nos. CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/616598, and CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/608444, the CPIO has provided appropriate factual replies to the RTI Applications vide letters dated 15.02.2024 and 08.01.2024. In view of the above, the Commission finds no scope of intervention in the above-mentioned matters. Accordingly, the appeals are dismissed.
9. Further, in file no. CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/612357 and CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/606201, incorrect and vague reply has been provided by the CPIO vide letter dated 08.01.2024. Therefore, the Commission directs the respondent to furnish a revised point-wise reply to the appellant within 20 days from the date of the receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. With this observation and direction, the appeals are disposed of.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
(Anandi Ramalingam) (आनंदी रामिलंगम) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) िदनांक/Date: 19.03.2025 Authenticated true copy Sharad Kumar (शरद कुमार) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 Addresses of the parties:
1. The CPIO Punjab National Bank, Circle Office : Agartala, Durgabari Road PO, Agartala, Tripura (West) - 799001 Page 10 of 11 2 Amitava Roy Annexure of Second Appeals Sl. No. Second Appeal No. 1 CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/616598 2 CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/612357 3 CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/608444 4 CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/606201 Page 11 of 11 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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