RTI application filed by an individual in the capacity of an accountant

Background

The appellant filed an application under RTI with the IDBI Bank seeking certain information. No reply was given by the Public Information Officer (PIO) forcing the appellant to file a complaint with the Central Information Commission (CIC) under section 18 of the RTI Act. The Commission directed the PIO to provide the information to the complainant and also sought an explanation for not furnishing the information within the mandated time. In response the PIO submitted that well within the stipulated time of 30 days the complainant was informed that the information cannot be provided as the same was not sought in an individual capacity but as an accountant of a certain organization.

View of CIC

The Commission noted that the RTI application was filed clearly as per the provisions of the RTI Act which bears the ‘name of the applicant’ and additionally mentions his designation and work address. The Commission directed the PIO to accept the application and take necessary action as per the provisions of the RTI Act observing that as long as the RTI application is in the name of a particular citizen of India, it is of no consequence whether the citizen is furnishing his designation or any other such details. The same does not detract the applicant from getting the sought information on such a ground that he/she has filed it in the capacity of being at a certain designation.

Citation: Mr. Akhilesh Saxena v. IDBI Bank Limited in Decision No. CIC/SG/C/2011/001535/18037