Question : BUDGET ALLOCATIONS TO CIC

(a) the details of the budgetary allocations made to the Central Information Commission (CIC) during the past three years;

(b) whether the Government intends to increase allocation to the said office in the next year and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has conducted a study of the bureaucratic infrastructure in place at the CIC and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the staff for the CIC is inadequate to dispose off the pending number of cases; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken to improve the situation?

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) & (b): The Central Information Commission (CIC) was allocated a sum of ` 1192 lakh in the year 2009-10, ` 1404 lakh in the year 2010-11 and ` 1253 lakh in the year 2011-12. Budget Estimates (BE) for CIC for 2012-13 is ` 2053 lakh.

(c): Staff Inspection Unit of Department of Expenditure in 2010 assessed the requirement of posts in Central Information Commission as 154 which was later enhanced to 160 to cater 11 registries and the secretariat of the Central Information Commission.

(d) & (e): At present 137 filled up posts cater to 9 registries and the secretariat of Central Information Commission. It has been decided to grant autonomy to CIC in recruitment of staff. Recruitment Rules for the posts of Assistant, Section Officer, Under Secretary, Personal Assistat, Private Secretary, Principal Private Secretary, Sr. Principal Private Secretary have been notified on 16.04.2012.