CIC dismisses appeal against bank

[karira]

As reported by TNN on timesofindia.indiatimes.com on 7 August 2008:
CIC dismisses appeal against bank-Ahmedabad-Cities-The Times of India

CIC dismisses appeal against bank

AHMEDABAD: In a case concerning a bank, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has dismissed an appeal filed before it stating that the matter was purely a dispute between the appellant and the bank. And, the appellant should approach an appropriate forum like bank ombudsman instead.

Alkesh Shah, director of Chandra Net Pvt Ltd (CNPL) in Paldi area, had under Right to Information (RTI) Act, filed an application with the chief manager and central public information Officer (CPIO) of State Bank of Saurashtra (SBS) zonal office in Navrangpura, Mayank Mehta.

Shah sought details regarding interest and commission charged by SBS on the performance guarantee taken in the name of CNPL. Mehta sent a reply to Shah giving serial-wise detailed information on the interest and commission charged from 1999 to 2008.

Shah once again wrote to Mehta contending that the interest and commission charged were not in order. Mehta informed Shah that if he was not satisfied with the information given, he could appeal before the appellate authority.

But, instead of filing an appeal with the SBS appellate authority , Shah filed his appeal before the CIC. He complained that SBS had wrongly collected a huge amount by way of guarantee commission and that CNPL is entitled to get a refund of more than Rs 3 lakh.

Shah wanted CIC to direct SBS to pay the amount to him. CIC observed that Shah was questioning the rate of guarantee commission charged and was seeking refund of certain amounts.

As the information sought had been provided to him, CIC dismissed the appeal asking him to take his grievance to the bank ombudsman .

[vijendra singh]

CIC dismissed the appeal rightly. Applicant was asking 'redressal of grievance' & not any info. The CIC can not direct the PIO to refund any excess interest. Such appeals must not be registered for hearing .