Central Information Commission

HC quashes CIC order on PM Modi's degree, imposes Rs 25k cost on Kejriwal

The Gujarat High Court on Friday set aside the seven-year-old order of the Central Information Commission (CIC), asking the Gujarat University to provide information on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's degree to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Allowing the Gujarat University's appeal against the CIC order, Justice Biren Vaishnav also imposed a cost of Rs 25,000 on Kejriwal and asked him to deposit the amount within four weeks to the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA). Justice Vaishnav also refused to stay his order as requested by Kejriwal's lawyer Percy Kavina. In April 2016, the then CIC M Sridhar Acharyulu had directed the Delhi University and the Gujarat University to provide information to Kejriwal on the degrees that Modi received. Three months later, the Gujarat High Court stayed the CIC order after the varsity approached it against that order. The CIC order came a day after Kejriwal wrote to Acharyulu, saying he has no objection to government records about

Former West Bengal DGP Virendra appointed as state information commissioner

Former West Bengal DGP Virendra was on Wednesday appointed as the State Information Commissioner(SIC), state Parliamentary Affairs minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said. The meeting to select the new SIC was held at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's chamber at the state assembly. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP skipped the meeting citing violation of the "advertising guidelines for inviting applications". Banerjee chaired the meeting. "There were 15 applications for the post of which 10 were found valid. The CM proposed Virendra's name and we supported it. Virendra has been appointed as the new state information commissioner," Chattopadhyay said after the meeting. Later speaking to reporters on the appointment of Virendra as the new State Information Commissioner, Adhikari said, "The meeting is illegal, it has met twice before. The Governor did not sign. I hope the Governor will not sign the appointment of Information Commissioner this time as well. All India level

22,238 complaints, second appeals pending with CIC: Govt tells Rajya Sabha

A total of 22,238 complaints and second appeals were pending with the Central Information Commission (CIC) as on December 15, 2022, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday. In reply to a written question, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said 20,756 complaints and second appeals filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act were disposed of during 2022-23 up to December 15. The CIC had registered 13,472 such cases during the period, he said. "The CIC is making efforts to expedite disposal of the pending cases by making use of technology tools for efficient hearing of cases. This has reduced the pendency significantly," the minister said. Singh said the information of registered, disposed and pending cases in respect to State Information Commissions (SICs) is maintained by the state governments. "The CIC facilitates information seekers by providing hybrid mode of hearing i.e. physical as well as virtual. As far as the State Information Commissions are concerned, i

Govt invites applications for posts of Information Commissioners in CIC

The Centre has sought applications from eligible candidates to fill posts Information Commissioners in the Central Information Commission (CIC). Transparency watchdog CIC is headed by the Central Information Commissioner and can have a maximum of 10 Information Commissioners. Persons who have attained the age of 65 years shall not be eligible for appointment, an order issued by the Union Personnel Ministry said. "It is proposed to appoint Information Commissioners, not exceeding six, as may be deemed necessary in the Central Information Commission," it said. The Right to Information (RTI) Act provides that the Information Commissioner shall be a person 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. Persons fulfilling the criteria and interested for appointment to the post of Information Commissioner may send their particulars in a prescribed proforma

Expenditure on India's information commissions has fallen 91% in six years

Since FY17, the budget allocation for information commissions has shrunk by 82.7% from Rs 31.9 crore

Revisit denial to disclose report on armed forces' pay: CIC to PMO

The Central Information Commission has directed the Prime Minister's Office to "revisit" its refusal to disclose under the RTI a 14-year old report by a Group of Ministers led by former External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on pay and pension of armed forces personnel on grounds that it was "highly sensitive". The directive came after the RTI applicant told the panel that substantial portions of the report that were termed "highly sensitive" and "prejudicially affecting the sovereignty and integrity of India" by the PMO, have already been declassified and disclosed by the Defence Ministry. Through his RTI application dated January 31, 2021, S Y Savur had sought the copy of the report submitted by Mukherjee on December 19, 2008 for then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's approval and copy of the approval along with file notes, office memorandum along with all relevant information that "preceded" the approval. The PMO had refused to disclose the report and other documents, calling t

Provide total cost of printing electoral bonds: CIC to India Security Press

Commodore Lokesh Batra (retd) had filed an RTI with the ISP to provide details of total cost of printing the electoral bonds introduced by the government to ensure transparency in political donations

Delhi HC dismisses challenge to CIC order denying details of SC collegium

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a challenge to the Central Information Commission's order dismissing an RTI appeal seeking the agenda of the Supreme Court collegium's meeting on December 1

Delhi HC stays CIC order asking IAF to provide PM's foreign visits data

Justice Navin Chawla said the information sought by the RTI applicant with regard to details of the ministry or department officials who accompanied the PM on a trip cannot be disclosed

Delhi HC stays order to disclose PM's entourage details under RTI Act

'What is the problem in giving the number of passengers?'

Aarogya Setu app made in most transparent way: Govt reply to CIC show-cause

Adds that app was launched in a record 21 days under PPP to bring people together in fight against Covid

No information on Aarogya Setu app creators, says Centre; CIC fumes

Under normal circumstances, RTI applicants would appeal for information and the process would be prolonged

CIC's post vacant, process of appointment going on: Jitendra Singh in RS

In response to separate query, the minister said that the Central Information Commission has been functional even after the declaration of lockdown in March, 2020

CIC's functioning not interrupted for a day due to Covid-19: Jitendra Singh

Not only this, the chief information commissioner informed the minister that the Commission had also effectively continued its interactive and outreach activities, the statement said

Budget 2020: Govt allocates Rs 9.90 crore for CIC, Right to Information Act

The CIC has also received funds under a separate head of 'CIC and PESB' with an increase of 6.95% from the last budget

Supreme Court asks Centre to fill vacant posts in CIC within 3 months

It raised concerns over the need to have a 'filter' for people filing RTI who seek information but have nothing to do with the concerned issue

CIC issues showcause notice to RBI for casual approach to its notice

CIC has directed the Central Public Information Officer of the Department of Banking Supervision of the RBI to explain why penal provisions under the transparency law should be not invoked against him

Will CJI come under RTI ambit? SC to pronounce its verdict on Nov 13

The High Court in its order had declared the CJI's office a "public authority" and said that it should come under the RTI Act

Information Commission directs RBI to disclose names of big loan defaulters

The RBI had directed banks to file insolvency applications against 12 large accounts comprising about 25 per cent of the total NPAs

CIC seeks inclusion in protocol list for government functionaries

The warrant of precedence is a protocol list in which the government functionaries are listed in hierarchy of their rank