Central Information Commission

Central Information Commission

  • Established  in 2005 under the provisions of  Right to Information Act (2005) (statutory body)

Functions

  • It  is a high-powered independent body which inter alia looks into the complaints made to it and decide the appeals. It entertains complaints and appeals pertaining to offices, financial institutions, public sector undertakings, etc., under the Central Government and the Union Territories.

Composition

  • It consists of
    • Chief Information Commissioner
    • Not more than ten Information Commissioners.
  • Appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition &  a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by Prime Minister.

Qualification to become Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commisioners

  • They
    • should be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance.
    • should not be MP or MLA .
    • should not hold any other office of profit
    • Should not be connected with any political party or carry on any business or pursuing any profession.

Term

  • Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners  hold office for a
    • term of 5 years or
    • until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • They are not eligible for reappointment
  • Salaries and other benefits are equivalent to Chief Election Commissioner

State Information Commission

  • Right to Information Act of 2005 provides for the creation of not only the Central Information Commission but also a State Information Commission at the state level. Accordingly, all the states have constituted the State Information Commissions through Official Gazette Notifications.
  • State Information Commission is a high-powered independent body which interalia looks into the complaints made to it and decide the appeals. It entertains complaints and appeals pertaining to offices, financial institutions, public sector undertakings, etc., under the concerned state government.”
  • The Commission consists of a State Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten State Information Commissioners. They are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Chief Minister as Chairperson, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and a State Cabinet Minister nominated by Chief Minister.
  • They should be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance.
  • They should not be a Member of Parliament or Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory. They should not hold any other office of profit or connected with any political party or carrying on any business or pursuing any profession.”
  • The State Chief Information Commissioner and a State Information Commissioner hold office for a term of 5 years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. They are not eligible for reappointment.
  • The Governor can remove the State Chief Information Commissioner or any State Information Commissioner from the office.

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