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2025 Supreme(Online)(CIC) 2791
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Anandi Ramalingam, IC
Krishan Kumar Bhala – Appellant
Versus
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority – Respondent
Second Appeal No. CIC/PFRDA/A/2024/110820
For the Appellant/Petitioner:
For the Respondents: Dr. Purnima Sharma, Sachin K. Goyel
The authority is not obligated to maintain detailed transaction records for individual subscribers as per RTI provisions, allowing alternative access methods instead.
Headnote:(A) Right to Information Act, 2005 - Section 2(f) - The appellant sought information from the CPIO related to transaction details of National Pension System accounts - The CPIO provided information on accessing transaction statements via mobile app and website but stated that detailed transaction records are not maintained for individual subscribers - The Commission upheld the response, finding no wrongdoing in the CPIO's reply and dismissing the appeal. (Paras 2, 6, 7)
(B) Administrative Procedure - The procedure for accessing information under the RTI Act requires applicants to utilize available resources and channels provided by concerned authorities - Authority did not maintain transaction details but offered alternative access methods - The Commission emphasizes the duty of the appellant to actively seek information as guided by the CPIO. (Paras 3, 6)
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. rti applicant sought transaction details for pension account. (Para 1 , 2) |
| 2. faa upheld cpio's response as sufficient. (Para 3 , 4 , 5) |
| 3. commission found no grounds for intervention. (Para 6 , 7) |
Hon’ble Commissioner _ANANDI RAMALINGAM O R D E R
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 27.11.2023 seeking information on the following points:
1. ३१ िदस(cid:638)र २०२१ तक ঋाथ५ के PRAN खाते से (ঋाथ५ (cid:554)ारा एवं सरकार (cid:554)ारा ) जमा रािशयो ंका बैल७स.
2. १ जनवरी २०२२ से आज िदन तक समय समय पर खाते जमा रािशयो ंका ितिथ वार िववरण .
3. आज िदन तक ঋाथ५ के PRAN खाते म७ जमा कुल रािश.
2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 05.01.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-
“As per CRA records the RTI applicant Shri Krishan Kumar Bhala is registered with Protean CRA under NPS Lite Swavalamban, allotted PRAN *******4235 on 03-Sep-2013 which is at present in active status and associated with PoP. NPS lite, i.e., Punjab National Bank (Branch Chitrakoot Jaipur OBC). The Transaction Statement provides the details of NPS contributions processed by PoP NPS-Lite Erstwhile Aggregator) and units credited in subscriber's PRAN, CRA sends annual physical Transaction Statement of each subscriber registered in the CRA system once in a financial year at subscriber's address registered in the CRA system. Accordingly. Transaction Statement of for PRAN *******4235 for FY 2022-23 was dispatched at the Subscriber's address registered in the CRA system.
Further, a subscriber can view/download Transaction Statement on an ongoing basis by following ways:
a. A subscriber can view/download Transaction Statement on an ongoing basis from CRA site by clicking on link (https://npslite-nsdl.com / CRAlite /EPran APY Onload Action. do). The Subscriber can select the option with PRAN and enter PRAN & Bank Account Number registered in the CRA to view statement. Otherwise, Subscriber can select the option without PRAN and provide Subscriber Name, Bank Account Number and Date of Birth registered in the CRA to view the statement. On submission of correct details, the subscriber can view/download Transaction Statement.
b. A subscriber can view Transaction Statement through Mobile App (Android). The "APY and NPS Lite by Protean" Mobile App can be downloaded from Google store. Once it is downloaded, by entering the PRAN and One Time Password (OTP) sent to the subscriber's registered mobile number, the subscriber can login & view the option to view/download Transaction Statement.
c. The Collection Center (i.e. Aggregator Branch) can download the Transaction Statement for their associated subscribers.
Subscriber may be guided as above to download the statement and view the balance in their NPS Lite account along with details of transactions.”
3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 15.01.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 15.02.2024 upheld the reply given by the CPIO.
4. Aggrieved with the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 03.04.2024.
5. The appellant remained absent despite the notice and on behalf of the respondent Dr. Purnima Sharma, CPIO & General Manager; Sachin K. Goyel, CPIO & AGM attended the hearing in person.
6. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that they cannot provide the information sought by the appellant as they do not collect or maintain transaction details of each individual subscriber in line with their Written Submissions dated 09.07.2025 and the relevant portion of the WS is reproduced below:
“10. It may please be noted that, each registered intermediary/entity functions under the ambit and regulatory framework of the concerned intermediary regulations notified by PFRDA, including guidelines, circulars and advisories issued thereunder. PFRDA maintains records of regulatory action taken by it (issue of circular, guidelines, etc.) but not tr
