O R D E R

(31.01.2022)

1. The issues under consideration arising out of the second appeal dated NIL include non-receipt of the following information sought by the appellant through the RTI application dated 19.03.2019 and first appeal dated 30.04.2019 :-

(i) Provide the reason and documents of involving authorizes in for freezing of his overdraft general bank account.

(ii) Provide the names of the persons who are involve in freezing his bank account.

Bank account details below mention below:

Account holder name: M Adil S/o Imran Account Number: **************058 Customer ID : CSC002922 Account Type: Overdraft General Account Address: Balakram khatauli, 251201 Branch address: Punjab Naonal Bank G.T. Road khatauli

2. Succinctly facts of the case are that the appellant filed an application dated 19.03.2019 under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Punjab National Bank, Muzaffarnagar, seeking aforesaid information. The CPIO did not reply to the appellant. Aggrieved with the same, the appellant filed first appeal dated 30.04.2019. The First Appellate Authority (FAA) did not pass any order. Aggrieved by that, the appellant filed a second appeal dated NIL before the Commission which is under consideration.

3. The appellant has filed the instant appeal dated NIL inter alia on the grounds that reply given by the CPIO was not satisfactory. The appellant requested the Commission to direct the CPIO to provide the complete information and take necessary action as per Section 20 (1) of the RTI Act.

4. Perusal of the records submitted by the appellant while filing the second appeal dated NIL reveals that neither the CPIO nor the FAA provided any information or any reply to the appellant.

5. The appellant remained absent and on behalf of the respondent Shri Shyam Kishor, Chief Manager, Punjab National Bank, Muzaffarnagar, attended the hearing through video conference.

5.1. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that RTI application as well as the first appeal was filed through online and due to some technical error it was not reflected in his portal. Therefore, the same could not be replied within the stipulated time. However, after received of hearing notice, they obtained the RTI application and provided the desired information to the appellant vide letter dated 30.12.2021. It was informed that the appellant’s account was turned into NPA and recovery proceeding was initiated as per the bank’s guidelines. They further stated that an amount of Rs. 47,727/- was recovered on 15.02.2019 which was deposited in the appellant’s account. Due to this reasons the debit freez was done in the appellant’s account. It was also stated that the appellant had deposited certain amount in his account and now his account became regular and the same was unfreezed. Moreover, they stated that the appellant gave satisfaction letter to the bank on 09.09.2019.

6. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the respondent and perusal of records, observed that due reply was given by the respondent 30.12.2021. The respondent had provided reasons for freezing the appellant’s account. The delay occurred was not attributable on part of the respondent. Moreover, the appellant being satisfied with the response of the bank gave satisfaction letter to the bank. Besides, the appellant neither filed any written objection nor presented himself before the Commission to controvert the averments made by the respondent and further agitate the matter. Hence, the submissions made by the respondent were taken on record. There appears to be no public interest in further prolonging the matter. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.

Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.

Sd/-

(Suresh Chandra) (सरु ेश च(cid:9)ं ा)

Information Commissioner (सूचना आय(cid:15)ु )

(cid:21)दनांक/Date: 31.01.2022 Authenticated true copy R. Sitarama Murthy (आर. सीताराम मूत(cid:9))

Dy. R