An Information Commissioner can be removed from the office by the Pres...
Explanation:
An Information Commissioner can be removed from office by the President on the advice/recommendation of the Supreme Court.
Role of the Information Commissioner:
The role of an Information Commissioner is to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of public authorities. They are responsible for the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which allows citizens to access information held by public authorities.
Appointment of the Information Commissioner:
The Information Commissioner is appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
Grounds for Removal:
A person holding the office of an Information Commissioner can be removed from office only if:
1. He/she is adjudged an insolvent.
2. He/she has been convicted of an offense which, in the opinion of the President, involves moral turpitude.
3. He/she engages during his/her term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of his/her office.
4. He/she is unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body.
Removal Process:
The process for the removal of an Information Commissioner is as follows:
1. An inquiry into the grounds of removal is initiated by the President. The President may either himself/herself inquire or refer the matter to the Supreme Court.
2. The Supreme Court, on receipt of the reference, conducts an inquiry into the grounds of removal. The Supreme Court must give the Information Commissioner an opportunity to be heard in person or by a legal practitioner.
3. Based on the inquiry, the Supreme Court submits its report to the President stating whether the Information Commissioner should be removed from office or not.
4. The President, after considering the report of the Supreme Court, may remove the Information Commissioner from office.
Therefore, it is the Supreme Court that recommends the removal of an Information Commissioner to the President. The President then acts on this recommendation and can remove the Information Commissioner from office. Hence, the correct answer is option 'A' - Supreme Court.
An Information Commissioner can be removed from the office by the Pres...
The President can also remove the Chief Information Commissioner or any Information Commissioner on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapac-ity4 . However, in these cases, the President has to refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an enquiry. If the Supreme Court, after the enquiry, upholds the cause of removal and advises so, then the President can remove him.
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