Heeralal Samariya Appointed as Chief Information Commissioner of India

Context:

• Senior bureaucrat Heeralal Samariya was sworn in as the chief of the Central Information Commission (CIC).

RTI Act 

• Provisions in the RTI Act provide for the Central Information Commission (CIC) at the central level and state information commissions (SICs) in each state to which the Act applies.

About Central Information Commission (CIC)

• It is a statutory body constituted under the provision of Section-12 of the RTI Act 2005,  the Central Government constitutes a body to be known as the Central Information Commission.
• The CIC shall consist of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and such number of Central Information Commissioners not exceeding 10 as may be deemed necessary.
• Jurisdiction:  It extends over all Central Public Authorities.
• Appointment Process of CIC/IC: The selection committee of CIC/IC consists of 
  • The Prime Minister, who shall be the Chairperson of the committee;
  • The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
  • A Union Cabinet Minister is to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
• Term of office: The Chief Information Commissioner(CIC) and Information Commissioner(ICs) will hold office for a term of three years.
  • CIC is not eligible for reappointment.
• Oath of Office:  Administered by the President of India.
• Retirement from parent service on appointment: The CIC/IC as the case may be, shall be deemed to have retired from such service with effect from the date of his appointment as  CIC/IC in the Central Information Commission.

Powers And Functions Of Information Commissions

• The Central Information Commission/State Information Commission has a duty to receive complaints from any person.
• Power to order inquiry if there are reasonable grounds.
• CIC/SCIC will have powers of Civil Court such as – 
  • summoning and enforcing attendance of persons, compelling them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce documents or things;
  • requiring the discovery and inspection of documents; 
  • receiving evidence on affidavit;
  • requisitioning public records or copies from any court or office 
  • issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents
  • any other matter which may be prescribed.

News Source: PIB

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