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Heeralal Samariya is Chief Information Commissioner

Heeralal Samariya is Chief Information Commissioner

  • Heeralal Samariya has been selected as the Chief Information Commissioner.
  • He was sworn in as an Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission on November 7, 2020.

Background before Appointment

  • The post of the CIC had been lying vacant since October 3, 2023
  • Y. K. Sinha retired as the last CIC at that time.
  • On October 30, 2023 the Supreme Court had asked both the Central and the State governments to take steps to fill the top post in the CIC
  • The court observed that failing this appointment the Right to Information Act, brought in 2005, would become a “dead letter”.

Personnel in the Office of the Chief Information Commission of India

  • After taking his oath, Mr. Samariya administered the oath of office to two Information Commissioners
    • Anandi Ramalingam
    • Vinod Kumar Tiwari
  • After these appointments, there are now six vacancies in the CIC.

About Central Information Commission

  • The office of CIC was established by the Central Government in 2005.
  • The CIC was created under the provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005).
  • It is not a constitutional body but a statutory body.
  • It consists of a Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and not more than ten Information Commissioners (IC).
  • They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee.
  • The committee consists of
    • The Prime Minister as Chairperson
    • The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
    • A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
  • The jurisdiction of the Commission extends over all Central Public Authorities.
  • The Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner shall hold office for such term
    • As prescribed by the Central Government or
    • Until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • They are not eligible for reappointment.

Prelims Takeaway

  • The Right to Information Act
  • Chief Information Commission

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