CIC Orders Fresh Hearing on PSU Bank POSH Compliance RTI Appeal

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed authorities to conduct a fair hearing in an RTI appeal related to sexual harassment policy compliance across India's public sector banks. The remand order addresses concerns raised during the information access proceedings regarding the adequacy of the initial examination of the application. The CIC's intervention underscores the importance of transparent disclosure regarding workplace safety compliance in the banking sector, a critical area given the sector's substantial workforce and regulatory oversight responsibilities. Public sector banks fall under the ambit of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013, which mandates organizations to establish internal committees and complaint mechanisms. The commission's decision to remand the appeal suggests potential deficiencies in how the original RTI application was processed, emphasizing the need for proper procedural compliance in information disclosure by government-owned financial institutions. The renewed hearing will provide an opportunity for comprehensive examination of POSH-related data and compliance records held by public sector banks, ensuring citizens can access information about workplace safety measures in these institutions.