Using RTI to Get Crop Value & Insurance Details for Loans
Using RTI to Get Crop Value & Insurance Details for Loans
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Using RTI to Get Crop Value & Insurance Details for Loans

 

Using RTI to Get Crop Value & Insurance Details for Loans: What This CIC Case Teaches Farmers

Farmers often face issues with Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans, crop insurance premiums, and compensation disputes. Many times, banks refuse to share even basic information, making it difficult for farmers to pursue complaints or cases in Consumer Forums.

But the Right to Information (RTI) Act can be a powerful tool.

In this article, we look at a real case where a farmer used RTI to get details about kharif crop valuation and insurance premiums—and how the Central Information Commission (CIC) stepped in when the bank wrongly denied information.

The Background: Farmer Seeks Kharif Crop & Insurance Details

A farmer from Samastipur filed an RTI application to Samastipur Kshetriya Gramin Bank (SKGB) asking for:

  • The months during which the kharif crop was harvested
  • Total value of the harvested kharif crop
  • Details of the insurance company
  • The insurance premium paid
  • Other KCC-related information

This information directly related to his own account, and he needed it to support a case he had already filed in the Consumer Forum.

Bank’s Response: A Wrong Exemption

The Public Information Officer (PIO) rejected the request using Section 8(1)(g) of the RTI Act.

This section deals with situations where providing information would:

  • Endanger the life or safety of someone
  • Reveal confidential sources used for law enforcement

Obviously, this exemption has nothing to do with crop harvesting data, crop valuations, or KCC account details.

What Happened in the CIC Hearing

During the hearing:

Farmer’s Arguments

  • The information was needed for an ongoing case in the Consumer Forum.
  • All requested information concerned his own account, not someone else’s.
  • The exemption used bank had no connection to the nature of the information.

Bank’s Arguments

  • They claimed the information was already discussed in the Consumer Forum case.
  • The District Forum had ordered compensation to the farmer.
  • The bank had appealed to the State Commission, so the matter was sub-judice.

However, “sub-judice” is not a valid ground for denying information under RTI. The RTI Act clearly states that pendency of a case does not stop disclosure of information.

CIC’s Decision: Information Must Be Given

The Central Information Commission made a few simple but powerful observations:

✔ The exemption used (Section 8(1)(g)) was irrelevant

There was no threat to anyone’s safety and no confidential informant involved.

✔ The farmer was requesting information about his own loan and insurance

There is no privacy issue or third-party angle.

✔ Sub-judice status does NOT block RTI

The bank’s reasoning was rejected outright.

✔ Information was directly needed for a Consumer Forum case

RTI cannot be denied when the information is necessary for legal proceedings.

Final Order

CIC directed the bank to provide the full information sought in the RTI application.

Why This Case Matters for Farmers

This case is an important reminder that:

1. Banks cannot hide KCC or crop insurance information

Details like crop valuation, insurance premium, and insurance company are all connected to your own account—so they cannot be withheld.

2. Sub-judice matters are NOT exempt from RTI

This is a common excuse, but the law does not support it.

3. Wrong sections cannot be used to reject RTI

Banks often misuse legal provisions to avoid disclosure. CIC consistently strikes this down.

4. RTI strengthens your case in Consumer Forums

Many farmers win compensation cases because RTI reveals the bank’s mistakes.

What You Can Seek Through RTI for KCC Loans

You can request:

  • Premium deducted under PMFBY / crop insurance
  • Crop value assessed
  • Insurance proposal forms
  • Survey report
  • Claim submission details
  • Reasons for delay or rejection
  • Correspondence between bank & insurer
  • Any document you signed or bank used

All of this is fully accessible because it relates to your own loan account.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a farmer dealing with a loan or insurance issue, don’t rely only on bank officials or verbal information.
RTI helps you get official written records, which you can use as evidence in:

  • Consumer Forum
  • District Courts
  • Ombudsman
  • Appeal Authorities

This case shows that even when banks deny information, the CIC supports transparency and the rights of consumers.