Information regarding a copy of the locker agreement in Hindi language - When enquired by the CIC, PIO informed that the copy of agreement is in English only - CIC: For the convenience of general public, furnish a translated copy of the agreement in Hindi
30 Jan, 2025O R D E R
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 06.01.2023 seeking information on the following points:
Brief Information about locker agreement in Hindi and whether there are any guidelines from GoI or RBI, possible misuse of the agreement, rise in locker rent, responsibility of the bank in case of any accident or loss in locker. (main part of Original application seeking certain information in Hindi loosely translated).
2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 30.01.2023 and the same is reproduced as under:-
As per RBI Circular DOR.LEGLREC/40/09.07, 005/2001-2022, RBI/2021-2022/86 DATED 18.08.2021, the locker agreement has to be on a proper stamp paper. This circular is in public domain. In case of an increase in rent, the bank informs the customer through sms and the customer can stop the locker service if he is not satisfied. (main part of reply loosely translated).
3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 10.02.2023 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 27.02.2023 upheld the reply given by the CPIO.
4. Aggrieved with the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 27.03.2023.
5. The appellant and on behalf of the respondent Priya Pawar, Law Officer and Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Tyagi, CPIO, attended the hearing through video conference.
6. The appellant inter alia submitted that he had sought information regarding a copy of the locker agreement in Hindi language, and a copy of any rules issued by the Finance Ministry in this regard. He further submitted that the reply furnished by the CPIO was not in accordance with the information sought in the RTI application. He requested the Commission to direct the respondent to provide the information, as sought.
7. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that a response to the RTI application in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005, had already been furnished to the appellant vide their letter dated 30.01.2023. When enquired by the Commission regarding as to whether copy of agreement of locker is available in Hindi language or not, she further submitted that the copy of agreement is in English only, however, whenever required, they explain the agreement to the party concerned in Hindi also.
8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observes that the appellant has sought a copy of the locker agreement in Hindi language but the same could not be provided by the respondent as the agreement is available in English language. The Commission notes that the respondent is in a customer facing department and for the convenience of the general public, copy of the agreement should be available in English as well as in Hindi language. Therefore, the Commission directs the respondent to furnish a translated copy of the agreement, as sought, to the appellant within 20 days from the date of the receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. With these observations and directions, the appeal is disposed of.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
ANANDI RAMALINGAM
Information Commissioner
Citation: Awadh Bihari Gupta v. Punjab National Bank, Second Appeal No. CIC/PNBNK/A/2023/115245; Date of Decision: 05.08.2024