Release list of convicted officials, CIC orders Customs Department

Release list of convicted officials, CIC orders Customs Department

1. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Customs Department to make public the list of officers caught red-handed for smuggling gold, heroin and other illegal activities. CIC has said that the information should be disclosed voluntarily for the sake of transparency and accountability in the public authority.
2. The direction came in response to a Right To. Information(RTI) request to the Chief Commissioner of Customs asking for information on officers caught, convicted or jailed for smuggling over the last 10 years.
3. Right to information act,2005 provides for timely disclosure of information by citizens from both central and State Public Authorities. The act seeks to empower citizens and promote accountability and transparency.
4. The Central Information Commission (CIC) is an 11 member commission set up under the Right to Information Act, 2005 as a quasi-judicial body. It is the highest appeal body available to applicants seeking information under the RTI Act.
5. CIC and members are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee consisting of (a) Prime Minister as Chairperson (b) the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and (c) Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.