ORDER

1. The Complainant filed an RTI application dated 02.02.2023 seeking information on the following points:

(i) The date from which LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation Scheme was introduced for the then existing employees of IFCI.

(ii) The date from which the Pension Scheme under IFCI Pension Regulations, 1993 was replaced by the Pension Scheme under LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation Scheme.

(iii) The total number of employees on the rolls of IFCI as on the date of introduction of LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation Scheme.

(iv) The number of employees of IFCI who were migrated from the Pension Scheme under IFCI Pension Regulations, 1993 to the LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation Scheme.

(v) The number of employees of IFCI who continued to be covered under the Pension Scheme under IFCI Pension Regulations 1993 even after Introduction of LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation Scheme.

(vi) The number of retired employees of IFCI and the dependents of its deceased employees as on 31-01-2023 who were granted pension, family pension and Dearness Relief thereon under IFCI Pension Regulations, 1993 and continue to be eligible to receive the same even after introduction of LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation Scheme.

(vii) The number of employees of IFCI who have been granted pension as per the Pension Scheme under IFCI Pension Regulations, 1993 after introduction of LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation Scheme for the employees of IFCI.

(viii) Date of sanction of pension as per the Pension Scheme under IFCI Pension Regulations, 1993 to the employees of IFCI after introduction of LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation Scheme for the employees of IFCI.

2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 02.03.2022 and the same is reproduced as under:-

i. In response to query no. 1 of your RTI Application, the date is 31/03/2009.

ii. In response to query no. 2, 7 & 8 of your RTI Application, the information may be treated as NIL from our side and no such information is existing on the records of IFCI Ltd. iii. In response to query no. 3 of your RTI Application, the information is 201.

iv. In response to query no. 4 of your RTI Application, the information is 195.

v. In response to query no. 5 of your RTI Application, the information is 01.

vi. In response to query no. 6 of your RTI Application, the information is 856.

3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Complainant filed a First Appeal dated 28.03.2022 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 25.04.2023 stated as under:

ii: The Pension scheme under Pension Regulations 1993 has not been replaced.

vii-viii: No employee has been granted pension as per Pension Scheme under the IFCI Pension Regulations, 1993 after introduction of LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation on 31.03.2009.

4. Aggrieved with the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Complaint dated 27.07.2023.

5. The Complainant attended the hearing with Nanak Chand and Lalit Sharma and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Subhash Agarwal, RTI Consultant and Mr. Chirag, CPIO, attended the hearing in person.

6. The Complainant inter alia submitted that the reply furnished by the CPIO on point no. 2, 7 8 of the RTI application was false and incomplete. He further requested the Commission to take action as per section 18 of the RTI Act. A relevant para of the written submission of the Complainant is reproduced as under:-

2.1As already submitted in my complaint dated 27.07.2023, FAA, IFCI Ltd., vide his Order dated 25.04.2023 informed me that (i) “The Pension scheme under Pension Regulations 1993 has not been replaced”; and (ii) “No employee has been granted pension as per Pension Scheme under the IFCI Pension Regulations, 1993 after introduction of LIC Group Superannuation Cash Accumulation o