How many students got the benefit by interest subsidy with respect to education loan during the period 2008 to February, 2014 was asked by the appellant - PIO invoked section 7(9) stating it is voluminous - CIC: provide the complete information
22 Jul, 2015ORDER
1. The appellant, Shri Rohit Kumar, submitted RTI application dated 26.03.2014 before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), State Bank of India, Saharanpur and sought to know for which financial year the interest subsidy of Rs. 15,307/- was provided to him in respect of his education loan account No. 30448887341; under which scheme the interest subsidy provided; the documents to be submitted for claiming interest subsidy and criteria for obtaining interest subsidy; and how many students got the benefit in this regard during the period 2008 to February, 2014 etc. through five points.
2. The CPIO vide letter dated 02.05.2014 provided information on point 1 and 3; on point 2 the appellant was informed that he sought clarification, which did not fall within the definition of ‘information’ on point 5 the CPIO invoked the provisions of Section 7(9) An information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record in question. of the RTI Act. Dissatisfied with the reply of the CPIO the appellant filed an appeal on 01.05.2014 before the first appellate authority (FAA). The FAA did not adjudicate on appellant’s appeal till the date of filing the instant appeal before the Commission.
3.Thereafter the appellant filed the present appeal before the Commission.
4.The matter was heard by the Commission. The appellant did not attend the hearing in spite of a notice of hearing having been sent to him. The respondents reiterated their stand during the hearing.
5. Having considered the submissions of the respondents, the Commission directs the CPIO to provide clear reply on point 4; and provide the total number of students who were benefited by the interest subsidy on education loan and the total amount of subsidy granted during the financial year 2008-09 to 2013-14 with reference to point 5, to the appellant within seven days of receipt of this order. The appeal is disposed of.
(Manjula Prasher)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Rohit Kumar v. State Bank of India in Appeal: No. CIC/MP/A/2014/001766