Total number of accounts opened by PNB under different welfare schemes - Delay of almost two years - CIC: PIO is cautioned and advised to strengthen its RTI portal to enable effective and timely disposal of RTI applications and first appeals in future

O R D E R

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 02.04.2022 seeking information on the following points: Loosely translated - The number of bank employees between 1.1.2013 and 21.03.2023 by Punjab National Bank branch Bhikampur, Jitpur and the basis of their employment; Details of loans granted to farmers by Punjab National Bank branch Bhikampur, Jitpur between 1.1.2013 and 21.03.2023 and benefit of interest given along with no dues certificate; Details of loans given under different schemes; the details of scrutiny done by the employees etc.

2. Having not received any response from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal on 06.05.2022. The FAA did not pass any order.

3. Aggrieved with the non-receipt of any FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 20.07.2022. Subsequently, the CPIO replied and provided point-wise information vide letter dated 31.01.2024.

4. The appellant and on behalf of the respondent Shri Jawahar Singh Rai, Chief Manager, attended the hearing through video conference.

5. The appellant inter alia submitted that the respondent had not provided any reply or information, till the date of hearing. He further stated that the respondent had handed over their reply dated 31.01.2024 during the hearing, after a lapse of almost two years.

6. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the list of employees engaged with the respondent bank for the period 2015 to 2022, along with their names and period of engagement was communicated to the appellant vide letter dated 31.01.2024. However, the documents based on which those employees were recruited involved personal information of third parties, hence, were exempted under the provisions of Section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act. Further, they had provided the information about total number of accounts opened by the bank under different welfare schemes i.e. 6057 accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana, 377 KCC loans, total number of Field officers, number of Managers, etc. to the appellant. The respondent further explained that the delay caused in the matter was unintentional since they had not received the RTI application earlier in April 2022 and, subsequently, they had furnished point-wise information upon receipt of the hearing notice.

7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both the parties and perusal of records, observes that the respondent replied vide letter dated 31.01.2024 and the copy of the same was handed over to the appellant during the hearing. However, the respondent explained that the delay caused in responding to the RTI application was on account of non-receipt of the RTI application in April 2022. Keeping in view the delay of almost two years, the CPIO is cautioned and advised to strengthen its RTI portal to enable effective and timely disposal of RTI applications as well as first appeals in future.

With these observations, the appeal is disposed of.

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

Sd/-

ANANDI RAMALINGAM

Information Commissioner

Citation: Sherpal v. Punjab National Bank, Second Appeal No. CIC/PNBNK/A/2022/136722; Date of Decision: 01.02.2024