The judgment emphasizes the limitations of the RTI Act in addressing hypothetical or vague inquiries and affirms the CPIO's duty not to interpret information.

Hon’ble Commissioner _ANANDI RAMALINGAM O R D E R

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 26.10.2024 seeking information on the following points:

1. Due to effect of Consequent upon amalgamation, we have requested NPCI to off board erstwhile Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank from all NPCI products & services like ATM, POS, EComm, IMPS, AEPS, NACH/CTS etc. And also requested IFTAS (Indian Financial Technology and Allied Services) to discontinue IFSC code of erstwhile Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank I. E BKDN0700000 With effect From. 11.01.2020. Erstwhile Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank Cheque can be used after 11.0.2020 in any Bank or not? Dena Gujarat gramin bank cheque can be used in home branch after said period? Please provide details about above mentioned queries. Because after off board from NPCI of all the products how the home branch of account holder can use Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank old cheque in CTS system. Because technically Erstwhile Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank cheque is not valid instrument according to the guidelines of RBI. Please provide Information after off boarding from NPCI the cheque of Erstwhile Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank is can be cleared in any branch like home branch of account holder or any other branch of the different Bank.

2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 15.11.2024 and the same is reproduced as under :-

“CBS integration of Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank (DGGB) into Baroda Gujarat Gramin Bank had been scheduled on 11th JAN, 2020 and after this technical amalgamation, Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank would not have existed.

Consequent upon Amalgamation, we had requested NPCI to off board erstwhile Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank from all NPCI product & services like ATM, POS, EComm, IMPS, AEPS, NACH/CTS etc. we.f 11.01.2020.

Further we have requested to NPCI for the DGGB Bank code blockage.

NPCI have blocked the DGGB bank code on 27th October, 2023 Dena Gujarat Gramin Bank instruments have been cleared in CTS clearing upto aforesaid period.”

3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 15.11.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 03.12.2024 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 Nil.

5. The appellant remained absent despite the notice and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Surendra Prasad, attended the hearing through video conference.

6. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the appellant sought queries on whether a cheque can be used in home branch after off boarding a bank, how home branch can use Deena Gujarat Grameen Bank old cheque in CTS system etc. and the CPIO gave factual reply to the appellant vide reply dated 15.11.2024. Written submission dated 01.10.2025 filed by the respondent is taken on record and relevant portion of the same is reproduced below:

“The information sought is in the nature of hypothetical question/vague also non-specific. Further, CPIO is not to supposed create or interpret the information. Hence, same outside the is the scope of RTI Act, 2005.”

7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the respondent and perusal of records, observes that the appellant sought queries/clarifications in the RTI Application and the same are not as per Section 2 (f) of the RTI Act, however, the CPIO provided factual reply to the appellant in keeping with the spirit of the RTI Act. In view of the above, no further intervention of the Commission is required. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.

Apart from the above, the Commission finds that the copy of the Written submission of the respondent is not marked to the ap