Central Information Commission
File No.CIC/PB/C/2008/00938-SM
Right to Information Act-2005-Under Section (19)
Dated: 22 December 2009
Name of the Appellant : Shri Gautamdeb Mukherjee,
149, Kali Bazar (Former 97, Nutan Pally),
Old Kalibazar Kath Puli,
Burdwan, West Bengal.
Name of the Public Authority : CPIO, State Bank of India,
Burdwan Branch,
Court Compound,
Burdwan – 713 101.
We had heard this case on 17 September 2009 and had directed the CPIO to
explain the reasons for the inordinate delay on his part in replying to the
Appellant. The explanation given by the CPIO is not acceptable although he has
expressed regrets for this. If the application had been received in the Burdwan
Branch, it was the duty of that Branch Manager to promptly forward it to the CPIO
concerned. The Right to Information (RTI) Act is very clear on this. We would like
to have the explanation of the Branch Manager concerned on why he filed the
application at his level instead of forwarding it to the CPIO in time. Besides, it is
also noted that the CPIO has not carried out our second direction, that is, to inform
the Appellant in detail about the status of his loan application.
2. We, therefore, now, for the last time, direct the CPIO to inform the
Appellant about the status of his loan application within 10 working days from the
receipt of this order. We also direct him to obtain the explanation of the Branch
Manager concerned who had kept the application to himself instead of forwarding
it to the CPIO and send it to us within 15 working days from the receipt of this
order. If we do not receive both the explanations in time, we will proceed to
impose penalty on both the Branch Manager concerned and the CPIO as per the
provisions of Section 20 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
3. 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
CIC/SM/A/2009/000938