Recently, a report by Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) reveals that both Central and several State Information Commissions (CIC/SICs) are understaffed or defunct, leading to massive delays in hearing RTI appeals.

Key Highlights from the Report

• Defunct Commissions: Six SICs — Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Tripura, and Madhya Pradesh — were non-functional between July 2024 and October 2025 due to lack of appointments.
• Partial Functioning: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh are operating without full strength.
• Central Commission: The CIC currently has only two Commissioners with nine vacancies, including the post of Chief Information Commissioner.
• Pending Appeals: Over 2.4 lakh appeals were recorded in 2024; total pending appeals exceed 4 lakh as of June 2025.
• Disposal Rate: With a capacity to dispose of 1.8 lakh cases annually, it would take decades to clear backlogs.
• States with Highest Backlog: Maharashtra (95,340), Karnataka (47,825), and Tamil Nadu (41,059).
• Institutional Shortcomings:
• • Administrative Neglect: 20 of 29 Commissions have not published their 2023–24 annual reports.
  • Penalty Non-Enforcement: In 98% of cases where penalties were applicable, none were imposed on erring Public Information Officers (PIOs).

Implications

• Erosion of Accountability: Long delays defeat the RTI Act’s purpose of ensuring time-bound transparency.
• Citizens’ Right Compromised: Citizens are left waiting years for access to information on public decisions and spending.
• Administrative Apathy: Lack of proactive oversight weakens the institutional framework of transparency and public trust.

Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005

Overview

• Establishment: Enacted  by the Parliament in June 2005, effective from 12 October 2005.
• Based on the principle of transparency and accountability in public administration.
• Replaced the earlier Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
• Derives its authority from Article 19(1)(a) (Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression).
• Aims to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment by granting access to information held by public authorities.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 

Key Provisions

• Applicability: All public authorities — Central, State, and local bodies, including ministries, PSUs, and constitutional institutions.
• Exemptions (Section 8): National security, intelligence, and personal information unless linked to corruption or human rights violations.
• Time Limits: 
• • Within 30 days of application.
  • Within 48 hours if it concerns life or liberty.
• Public Information Officers (PIOs): Designated in every public office to process RTI applications.
• Information Commissions (Sections 12–15)
  • Central Information Commission (CIC) — at the Union level.
  • State Information Commissions (SICs) — at the State level.
  • Chief Information Commissioner + up to 10 Information Commissioners.
• Appeals: Can Appeal against the PIOs, if the requests were denied or not addressed satisfactorily.

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• Tenure and Conditions: 
• • Original RTI Act, 2005: 5-year term or till 65 years of age, whichever earlier.
  • RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019: Tenure, salary, and service conditions now decided by the Central Government.
  • Removal: By the President (for CIC/ICs) or Governor (for SCIC/SICs) on proved misbehavior or incapacity after Supreme Court inquiry.

About Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS)

• Establishment: Founded in 2003 as Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) or Society for Citizens Vigilance Initiatives (SCVI), it is a non-partisan citizens’ group.
• Objective: Promotes transparency and accountability in governance and ensures citizen participation in government functioning.
• Focus: Raises awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005; Encourages citizens to use RTI to obtain government information.

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