CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Appeal No. CIC/PB/C/2008/00090-SM dated 25.07.2008
Right to Information Act-2005- Under Section (19)
Dated 13.03.2009
Complainant : Shri Lekhraj Raghwani
Respondent : Punjab National Bank
Neither the Complainant nor the respondent is present.
The brief facts of the case are as under.
2. The Complainant had requested the Branch Manager/PIO of the Punjab National
Bank, Branch Baroon, for information regarding the return of certain original documents
which the Complainant had deposited in the Bank at the time of taking a loan. He
received no information and therefore complained to the State Information Commission
which that Commission transferred to the CIC as the matter fell under the jurisdiction of
this Commission.
3. During the hearing, neither the Complainant nor the Respondent was present in
spite of notice. We take a very serious view of the fact that the CPIO had neither
responded to the Complainant when he had approached him for information nor has he
cared to be present before us during the hearing even after a notice had been sent to him.
We now direct the CPIO concerned to explain within 10 working days from the receipt of
this order as to why maximum penalty under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information
(RTI) Act should not be imposed on him for not providing the information to the
Complainant within the stipulated period. If we do not receive his explanation within the
time limit of 10 working days from the receipt of this order, we will proceed to decide on
the penalty ex parte.
4. We also direct the CPIO concerned to provide the information sought within the
same 10 working days from the receipt of this order.
5. With the above directions, we dispose off this complaint.
6. Copies of this order be given free of cost to the parties.
(Satyananda Mishra)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy. Additional copies of orders shall be supplied against application and
payment of the charges prescribed under the Act to the CPIO of this Commission.
(Vijay Bhalla)
Assistant Registrar