CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Delhi High Court ruled that the Chief Information Commissioner lacks jurisdiction to scrutinize the utilization of MPLADS funds by MPs, as the RTI Act's purview is confined to granting access to information held by public authorities.

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

o Shall not be eligible for reappointment.

• 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:

o Adjudication in the second appeal for giving information.

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

o Imposition of penalties.

o Monitoring and Reporting including preparation of an Annual Report. 

o The decisions of the Commission are final and binding.

Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

• Introduction: It was introduced by the Government of India on 23 December 1993.

o The MPLAD Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.

o It allows Members of Parliament (MPs) to recommend developmental works in their constituencies, focusing on creating durable community assets based on locally felt needs.

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Objectives: Enable MPs to suggest and execute developmental works emphasizing durable asset creation.