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Central Information Commission

James K X vs Punjab National Bank on 3 July, 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. CIC/PNBNK/A/2024/602500

James K X                                                         ... अपीलकता/Appellant

                                         VERSUS
                                          बनाम
CPIO: Punjab National Bank,
Chennai                                                     ... ितवादीगण/Respondents

Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:

RTI : 10.11.2023                FA       : 11.12.2023             SA     : Nil.

CPIO : Not on record            FAO : 05.01.2024                  Hearing : 02.07.2025


Date of Decision: 03.07.2025
                                         CORAM:
                                   Hon'ble Commissioner
                                 _ANANDI RAMALINGAM
                                        ORDER

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 10.11.2023 seeking information on the following points:

1. Punjab National Bank, Nungambakkam Branch, Chennai had issued one Demand Draft of around Rs.1 Lakh in my favour towards loan from Indian Oil Employees Thrift and Credit Society Ltd (A/C NO. *******6907), Chennai - 600034 in the year 1999.

2. I have lost the details of said Demand Draft during the flood in 2018 and 2019.

3. I am in need of details of said Demand Draft No., Date, exact amount in order to submit the same in Honourable High Court of Kerala.

2. Having not received any response from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 11.12.2023. The FAA vide order dated 05.01.2024 stated as under:-

"With reference to the RTI first appeal, on scrutinizing the records in CBS for the mentioned account of Indian Oil Employees Thrift and Credit Society Ltd (A/C NO. *******6907), we cannot find any credits by way of DD from Mr. James K X for an amount of Rs. 1 lakh"

3. Aggrieved with the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated Nil.

4. The appellant and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Sayed Anwar, CPIO, attended the hearing through video conference.

5. The appellant reiterated the background of the RTI application and stated that he had sought copy of Demand Draft of Rs 1 lakh issued by Indian Oil Employees Thrift and Credit Society Ltd in his favor, but no satisfactory reply had been furnished by the CPIO till. Date. He requested the Commission to direct the respondent to furnish the information as sought.

6. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the Demand Draft (DD) in question pertained to the year 1999 and the appellant having furnished insufficient details, they were unable to locate the same. He stated that the respondent Bank issued the DD to the society at their behest and not to the appellant. He stated that the appellant should approach the society for proper details. When queried by the Commission regarding a response furnished to the RTI application, the respondent submitted that a response to the RTI application had been furnished to the appellant vide their letter dated 06.03.2024 and the same is reproduced as under:-

"With reference to your RTI application, on scrutinizing the records in CBS for the mentioned account of Indian Oil Employees Thrift and Credit Society Ltd (A/c No : 2543000100016907), we can not find any credits by way of DD from Mr.James K X for an amount of Rs.1 lakh."

7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observes that the CPIO has provided an appropriate reply to the appellant vide letter dated 06.03.2024. The respondent elucidated during the hearing that having insufficient details of the DD, they were unable to locate the same. Besides, there is considerable delay in disposing the RTI application and the respondent failed to explain the cogent reasons for such inordinate delay. Therefore, the Commission directs the CPIO to submit a written statement before the Commission, explaining his above-said conduct by uploading on http://dsscic.nic.in/online-link-paper- compliance/add, within 20 days from the date of the receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. With this observation and direction, the appeal is 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: 03.07.2025 Authenticated true copy O. P. Pokhriyal (ओ. पी. पोख रयाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 Addresses of the parties:

1 The CPIO Punjab National Bank, Circle Office, PNB Towers, 2nd & 3rd Floor, Royapettah High Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600014 2 James K X Page 3 of 3 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-

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