CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Shri Heeralal Samariya recently assumed office as the Chief Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission.

Central Information Commission

• About: It is a statutory body constituted under Section 12 of the RTI Act, with effect from October 2005.
• Composition: It consists of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and such number of Commissioners not exceeding 10 as may be deemed necessary.
• Appointment: By President of India on the recommendation of a selection committee.
• Selection Committee Composition: Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
• Jurisdiction: It extends over all Central Public Authorities.
• Power and Functions: The Commission has certain powers and functions mentioned in Sections 18, 19, 20 and 25 of the RTI Act, 2005, and broadly relate to
• Adjudication in the second appeal for giving information.

oDirection for record keeping, suo motu disclosures receiving and enquiring into a complaint on inability to file RTI, etc.

oImposition of penalties.

oMonitoring and Reporting including preparation of an Annual Report. 

oThe decisions of the Commission are final and binding.

• Tenure: CIC shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he/she enters upon the office.

oShall not be eligible for reappointment.