Central Information Commission: the final appellate body under the Right to Information Act

Background

Every RTI application that a central ministry or public authority refuses can travel up to the Central Information Commission, the body whose own website says it was constituted with effect from 12-10-2005 under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The jurisdiction of the Commission extends over all Central Public Authorities. Its powers and functions are set out in sections 18, 19, 20 and 25 of the RTI Act, 2005. These broadly cover adjudication in second appeal for giving information; directions for record keeping and for suo motu disclosures; receiving and enquiring into a complaint about an inability to file an RTI application; the imposition of penalties; and monitoring and reporting, including the preparation of an Annual Report. The decisions of the Commission are final.