Highlights of the trends of CIC Annual Report 2018-19

News: Annual report of the Central Information Commission (CIC) was tabled in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 20th and 21st November 2019 respectively.

Facts:

Key takeaways from CIC Annual Report 2018-19

• During 2018-19, 13.70 lakh RTI applications were received by the registered Central Public Authorities (PAs). It is 11% higher than what was reported during 2017-18.
• Highest percentage of RTI applications rejected was reported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (26.54%) and Ministry of Home Affairs (16.41%).
• The CIC disposed of 17,188 Second Appeals and Complaints cases in 2018-19. At the end of the year the CIC had 29,655 cases pending before it.

Additional Information

Central Information Commission:

• It is a statutory body established under RTI Act, 2005. It is constituted by the central government.
• It consists of the Central Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information commissioners.
• The President of India appoints the Chief Information Commissioner and the information commissioners on the recommendation of the committee consisting of the Prime Minister as chairperson, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and one union cabinet ministers nominated by the Prime Minister.
• The Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and an information commissioner holds office for five years or until they attain the age of 65 years. CIC is not eligible for reappointment. CIC submits its report to the government who then places it to the parliament.

State Information Commission

• It is a statutory body established under RTI Act, 2005. It is constituted by state government.
• It consists of the Central Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information commissioners.
• The Governor of State appoints the State Information Commissioner and the information commissioners on the recommendation of the committee consisting of the Chief Minister as chairperson, the leader of the opposition in the state Legislative Assembly and one state cabinet ministers nominated by the Prime Minister.

Right to Information Act, 2005:

• RTI Act provides for timely disclosure of information by citizens from both central and State Public Authorities. It seeks to empower citizens and promote accountability and transparency.
• Under the Act, Public Authorities are required to make disclosures on various aspects of their structure and functioning.  This includes
  • disclosure on their organisation
  • functions and structure
  • powers and duties of its officers and employees and
  • Financial information.