Central Information Commission
File No.CIC/SM/A/2009/001397
Right to Information Act2005Under Section (19)
Dated: 18 October 2010
Name of the Appellant : Shri Alok Kumar
Vill & Post - Sirsa, Colony Bhaya
Majhariya, Distt - Motihari, East
Champaran, Bihar - 845 401.
Name of the Public Authority : CPIO, Canara Bank,
Regional Office,
Aghoria Bazar,
Muzaffarpur.
The Appellant was represented by Shri Sujit Kumar.
On behalf of the Respondent, Shri Raghvan was present.
2. We heard this case through videoconferencing. The Appellant was
present in the Motihari studio of the NIC along with his representative. The
Respondents were present in the Muzaffarpur studio. We heard their
submissions.
3. The Appellant had sought a number of information regarding the
applicants for loan under the KCC scheme. The CPIO had denied the
information by claiming exemption under Section 8(1) (j) of the Right to
Information (RTI) Act. We do not agree with the CPIO. The information sought
by the Appellant cannot be classified either as personal information or
CIC/SM/A/2009/001397
commercial confidence. Under the KCC scheme, the bank offers interest
subvention to the borrowers. As held by us in the numerous cases, wherever
there is any subsidy or concession, the details about the recipients of such
subsidy or concession should be disclosed to promote transparency. In this
case, in addition to the fact that the information sought is regarding applicants
under the KCC scheme, there is also some information which is about alleged
acts of forgery and fraud, all the more reason why such information should be
disclosed.
4. Therefore, we direct the CPIO to provide to the Appellant within 10
working days from the receipt of this order a complete list of applicants under
the KCC scheme as sought by the Appellant including the list of such
applicants, if any, who had furnished forged documents along with their loan
applications. The CPIO shall also inform if the bank had initiated any action
against such applicants. Besides, he shall also send a copy of the relevant
circular of the bank, if any, which restricts a son from borrowing under the KCC
if his father is already a borrower.
5. With the above directions, the appeal is disposed off.
6. Copies of this order be given free of cost to the parties.
(Satyananda Mishra)
Information Commissioner
CIC/SM/A/2009/001397
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
CIC/SM/A/2009/001397