• UGI USER
  • Nov 08, 2023
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Central Information Commission

Why in the news?

  • Heeralal Samariya, the Information Commissioner, has been appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner.
  • The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
  • Samariya previously held the position of Information Commissioner within the Central Information Commission.
  • Information Commissioners Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari also took the oath of office in a separate ceremony organized by the Central Information Commission.

Central Information Commission

 

  • Establishment: The Central Information Commission (CIC) was established on October 12, 2005, under the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
  • It serves as an independent and final appellate authority to ensure transparency, accountability, and access to information within the government.
  • Jurisdiction: The CIC’s jurisdiction extends over all Central Public Authorities, which includes various government bodies, departments, and ministries.
  • Role: It plays a crucial role in upholding the right to information for Indian citizens, allowing them to access government records and documents.
  • Members: The CIC consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and several( currently 6)Information Commissioners.
  • Appointment: The President appoints the Chief Information Commissioner based on recommendations from a committee that comprises the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Indian Prime Minister.
  • Tenure: The Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner will serve their terms as determined by the Central Government or until they reach the age of 65 years, whichever comes first.
  • They are not eligible for reappointment.
  • The commission hears appeals and complaints related to the denial of information by public authorities and ensures that government officials comply with the RTI Act.
  • Can Initiate an investigation into any matter based solely on valid and justified grounds (suo-moto authority).
  • Its decisions have significant implications for government transparency, making it an essential institution for democratic governance and accountability.