Laxmikanth Summary: Central Information Commission | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION

• The Central Information Commission was established by the Central Government in 2005. It was constituted through an Official Gazette Notification under the provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005). Hence, it is not a constitutional body.
• The Central Information Commission is a high-powered independent body which inter alia looks into the complaints made to it and decide the appeals. It entertains complaints and appeals pertaining to offices, financial institutions, public sector undertakings, etc., under the Central Government and the Union Territories.

COMPOSITION
The Commission consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information Commissioners. They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.

TENURE AND SERVICE CONDITIONS
The Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner hold office for such term as prescribed by the Central Governments or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. They are not eligible for reappointment. The President can remove the Chief Information Commissioner.

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
The powers and functions of the Central Information Commission are:
(i) It is the duty of the Commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person:
(a) who has not received response to his information request within the specified time limits;
(b) who thinks information given is incomplete, misleading or false;

(ii) While inquiring, the Commission has the powers of a civil court in respect of the following matters:
(a) summoning and enforcing attendance of persons and compelling them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce documents or things;
(b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents;

(iii) The Commission submits an annual report to the Central Government on the implementation of the provisions of this Act. The Central Government places this report before each House of Parliament.