Overview
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has sent back an RTI appeal to the Ministry of Women and Child Development for a fresh hearing. The appellant, Chayan Ghosh Chowdhury, seeks detailed information on how public sector banks are complying with the Sexual Harassment Act and the functioning of the SHe-Box portal.
Key Developments
- The CIC ordered the Ministry’s First Appellate Authority to reconsider the appeal after allowing both parties to present their case and to issue a reasoned order.
- The appellant argued that the Ministry’s response was incomplete and that he was denied a personal hearing, as he had specifically requested in his first appeal.
- The Ministry contended that it had shared all information in its possession and directed the appellant to approach individual banks for bank‑specific data.
- The CIC noted that the Ministry’s claim of disposing the first appeal could not be verified because no copy of the order was on record.
- The appeal has been remanded for fresh adjudication, and the Public Information Officer has been asked to submit a compliance report.
- If dissatisfied with the FAA’s fresh decision, the appellant may invoke Section 19(3) of the RTI Act.
Important Facts
The Act requires every workplace, including public sector banks, to form an Internal Committee (IC) to receive and redress complaints. The appellant requested:
- Names of banks registered on the SHe‑Box portal.
- Annual returns filed by banks under the Act.
- Details of penalties imposed for non‑compliance.
- Information on court cases involving aggrieved women employees.
The Ministry replied that consolidated data on annual returns, penalties, and litigation are not maintained centrally, and advised the appellant to approach each bank’s Public Information Officer.
Exam Relevance
This case highlights several themes that frequently appear in the UPSC syllabus:
- Implementation challenges of social welfare legislation (Sexual Harassment Act).
- Role of statutory bodies like the CIC in enforcing transparency under the RTI Act.
- Procedural safeguards in the RTI framework, such as the right to a personal hearing and the hierarchy of appeals (FAA, Section 19(3)).
- Inter‑departmental coordination between the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Department of Financial Services for monitoring compliance in the banking sector.
Way Forward
For better compliance, the Ministry could consider creating a consolidated database of bank‑wise annual returns, penalties, and litigation related to the Sexual Harassment Act. Strengthening the monitoring mechanism of the SHe‑Box portal would also aid transparency. Aspirants should note the procedural nuances of the RTI appeal process, as they are often asked in the exam.