Balbir Kaur vs Punjab National Bank on 8 February, 2022

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Central Information Commission

Balbir Kaur vs Punjab National Bank on 8 February, 2022

1. The issues under consideration arising out of the second appeal dated 18.06.2019 include non-receipt of the following information raised by the appellant through the RTI application dated 14.03.2019 and first appeal dated 16.04.2019:-

(i) Photocopy or attested copy of nominee papers made nominee by late Sardar Singh or a copy of request form to make her as nominee by late Sardar Singh had signed.

2. Succinctly facts of the case are that the appellant filed an application dated 14.03.2019 under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Punjab National Bank, Rajendra Bhawan, Rajendra Place, New Delhi, seeking aforesaid information. The CPIO vide letter dated 08.04.2019 replied to the Page 1 of 4 appellant. Dissatisfied with the same, the appellant filed first appeal dated 16.04.2019. The First Appellate Authority (FAA) vide order dated 17.05.2019 disposed of the first appeal. Aggrieved by the same, the appellant filed a second appeal dated 18.06.2019 before the Commission which is under consideration.

3. The appellant has filed the instant appeal dated 18.06.2019 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.

4. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 08.04.2019 stated that the CPIO had already provided information vide letter dated 10.07.2018 to the appellant and the same is reproduced as under:

"A & B. Papers submitted by Manjit Kaur nominee in respect of the SF A/c xxxxx62131; copy of death certificate of Shri Sardar Singh, copy of her passport, claim form, nomination details in bank record and the same was enclosed. Hence, payment of Rs. 2,931/- was made to the said nominee and above said S.F. account of the deceased account holder was closed on 25.07.2016.

C & D. Papers submitted by Ms. Raj Rani nominee in respect of FDR no. xxxxx11289, copies of records enclosed.

Hence, the payment of Rs. 3,04,736/- was made in favour of the said nominee by DD on 06.07.2016, copies were enclosed."

The FAA vide order dated 17.05.2019 upheld the reply of the CPIO.

Hearing on 27.10.2021:

4.1. The appellant attended the hearing through video conference and the respondent remained absent.

4.2. The Commission passed the following directions on 15.11.2021:

"The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the appellant and perusal of records, observed that the hearing notice issued to the Page 2 of 4 respondent was returned undelivered. Therefore, the notice may be served again and in the interest of principles of natural justice the parties be given a fair opportunity to present their case. Accordingly, the matter is adjourned."

Hearing on 11.01.2022

5. The appellant represented by her husband Shri Gurcharan Singh attended the hearing through video conference and on behalf of the respondent Shri Vijay, Senior Manager(Law), Punjab National Bank, Delhi attended the hearing through audio conference.

5.1 The appellant inter alia submitted that he had received the documents sent by the respondent on 08.04.2019. However, the same were unattested and unsigned. Therefore, the appellant requested the Commission to direct the CPIO to provide certified copies of all the documents.

5.2. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that they had provided the requisite information and apologized for the lapse at their end. They assured to provide the attested copies of the documents to the appellant again.

6. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both the parties and perusal of records, observed the appellant acknowledged the receipt of the documents sent by the CPIO on 08.04.2019. However, he contended that none of the documents were certified. In view of the above, the respondent is directed that the certified copies of the documents sent earlier including the nomination papers be made available to the appellant within three weeks from the date of receipt of this order and a copy of the same along with dispatch proof be uploaded on the Commission's web portal within 21 days. With these observations and directions, the appeal is disposed of.

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

Sd/-

                                                                                  सुरेश चं ा)
                                                               (Suresh Chandra) (सु        ा
                                                                               सूचना आयु )
                                                    Information Commissioner (सू
                                                                     दनांक/Date: 07.02.2022
Authenticated true copy

R. Sitarama Murthy (आर. सीताराम मूत )
Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक)
011-26181927(०११-२६१८१९२७)
                                                                                        Page 3 of 4
 Addresses of the parties:
CPIO,
PNB North Circle Office,,
3rd Floor, Vikrant Tower,
Rajendra Place, Delhi-110008

FIRST APPPELLATE AUTHORITY,
PUNJABNATIONAL BANK,
North Circle Office,, 3rd Floor,
Vikrant Tower, Rajendra Place,
Delhi-110008

Balbir Kaur




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