The decision of the CIC was given by:
Prof. M.M Ansari, IC
DECISION
1. The case was heard today i.e on 15th January, 2007. The CPIO was present, while the complainant had sought waiver from personal hearing.
2. The CPIO mentioned that the complainant had sought the details of loan sanctioned and disbursed to a customer of the Bank. He mentioned that the Banks are under obligation to protect the secrecy of the transactions of business dealings of its customers. The information sought by the complainant was therefore denied u/s 8(1) (d) and (j) of the Act. He also mentioned that the complainant did not file his appeal to the first appellate authority of the Bank hence he deprived the Bank of the opportunity of review the decision of the CPIO by appellate authority of the Bank. He pleaded therefore that the complaint should be dismissed.
COMMISSION'S DECISION
3. As per the provision of the Act, the complainant should have filed his first appeal to the appellate authority of the Bank before he approached the Commission against the decision of the CPIO.
4. The information sought relate to a third party, who is the customer of the Bank. The CPIO has duly responded and denied the information relating to details of borrowers amounts, which is justified u/s 8(1) (j) of the Act, as the Banks are expected to maintain confidentiality of their customers accounts.
5. The complaint is therefore dismissed.