(a) whether the attention of the Government is drawn to the implementation status of the RTI Act in the country;
(b) whether it is true that in spite of lapse of 14 years of the legislation, the appointment of the commissioners and other chiefs is in the preliminary stages only and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Supreme Court has also directed the Government to expedite the process; and
(d) the details of the steps being taken by the Government in the matter?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) & (b): The Central Government is fully committed to implement the Right to Information (RTI) Act in respect of public authorities under it. Each State Government is responsible for implementation of the Right to Information Act in respect of the public authorities in the State concerned.
In respect of the Central Information Commission, the appointment process has been conducted duly as and when vacancies were required to be filled up and has not been at preliminary stage.
(c) & (d): The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its Order dated 16.12.2019 in M.A. No.1979 of 2019 in WP (C) No. 436 of 2018: Ms Anjali Bhardwaj & Others Vs. Union of India and Others pertaining to fill up the vacancies in Central Information Commission, has inter-alia directed that the Government complete the process of appointment in 3 months.
The process has reached an advanced stage for appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner and one Information Commissioner in Central Information Commission.
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