CIC Criticizes Inadequate RTI Responses: Mandates Point-wise Disclosure by Bank of India under the RTI Act

The Battle for Records: CIC Calls Out Bank of India’s Opaque RTI Procedures

In a sharp rebuke to administrative inertia, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Bank of India to revisit multiple RTI applications and provide comprehensive, point-wise responses. The decision stems from the persistent efforts of appellant Premchand Bangaria, who alleged that the bank’s regional office in Ujjain had effectively shielded its officials from accountability by blanket-denying requests for information.

Presided over by Hon’ble Commissioner Anandi Ramalingam, the Commission’s order highlights a growing concern over the misuse of exemption clauses under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to obfuscate internal administrative processes.

A Pattern of Evasive Responses

The case involved four distinct second appeals stemming from RTI applications filed between April and August 2024. In each instance, the bank's Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) had summarily rejected the applicant’s queries, invoking sections 8(1)(d), 8(1)(j), and 8(1)(e)—which cover commercial confidence, personal information, and fiduciary relationships—to withhold file notings and action taken reports regarding internal complaints.

The appellant argued that these refusals were not substantive decisions but rather a deliberate attempt to protect officials accused of misconduct by refusing to disclose the status of investigations.

The Commission’s Scathing Observations

The hearing was marked by the Commission’s dissatisfaction with the respondent’s representation. The Law Officer representing the bank appeared unprepared, failing to present case-wise arguments or demonstrate an understanding of the legal basis for the previous denials.

"The Commission takes grave note of the fact that the representative of the CPIO failed to advance case-wise arguments and was unprepared during the hearing," the order reads. This, combined with the bank's reliance on blanket exemptions, led the Commission to conclude that the bank’s responses did not meet the standards mandated by the RTI Act.

Key Observations

The Commission’s order emphasizes the necessity of procedural transparency:

> "The replies given by the CPIO in few of the second appeals are unsatisfactory and not in consonance with the provisions of the RTI Act."

> "The CPIO should have addressed all RTI applications in a point-wise manner. [...] For instance, points no. 1 and 5 of RTI application in CIC/BKOIN/A/2024/137161... referred to file notings and action taken in complaints filed by the appellant and the CPIO’s replies to that extent were not sustainable in the eyes of law."

The Road to Accountability

In its final decision, the Commission has directed the Bank of India to provide point-wise information to the appellant within fifteen days, free of cost. Furthermore, the Commission has ordered the CPIO to submit a written explanation for the poor representation during the proceedings.

This ruling serves as a vital reminder to public authorities: the right to information cannot be stifled by internal bureaucratic convenience. By mandating disclosure of file notings and action taken reports, the CIC has reinforced the principle that public institutions must operate under the light of public scrutiny, even when internal disciplinary matters are concerned. For future applicants, this decision underscores that administrative labels like "internal communication" or "personal information" do not automatically preclude disclosure when questions of official accountability are at stake.