RTI application with statements rather than questions

Background        

A detailed application was filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act about a property mortgaged with the bank giving many factual statement and ending with the question “At last the applicant wishes to know under the RTI Act that when it can come to take back its movable as well as immovable assets from the bank’s possession for which unnecessarily a sum of Rs. 25,000/- is continuously being deducted from the applicant’s account so as to pay the rent.” The PIO commented on the facts narrated in the application and provided point wise information. Not being satisfied with the reply of the PIO, the appellant filed an appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) who did not pass any order.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) noted that information available on the records has been provided and disposed the appeal.

Comments

This case highlights a common problem regarding the RTI applications in the country. One, the applicants file an application without realising what is the information they wish to seek and second, even the PIO’s continue to comment even on the statements which do not seek any information. Ignorance is too pervasive as of now.

Citation: Mr. Shri Krishna Gopal Garg v. Bank of India in Decision No. CIC/SG/A/2012/001193/19153