’36K complaints pending’: SC moved for urgent hearing on CIC vacancies

New Delhi, Oct 19 : A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking urgent listing of a matter where directions are sought for the government authorities to implement the apex court’s directions in connection with the appointment of Information Commissioners within a stipulated time and in a transparent manner.
The plea cites, as of October 15, the number of pending appeals/complaints before the Central Information Commission (CIC) is more than 36,600.
RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj, in her plea, contended the December 16 order of the top court has not been complied with yet.
In December, the top court had directed the Centre and state governments to appoint Information Commissioners within three months in the CIC and the State Information Commissions (SICs), and emphasised on evolving a mechanism to stop misuse of the Right to Information Act.
The petitioner argued that the post of the Chief Information Commissioner has been vacant since August 27, which affects the citizens’ fundamental right to information.
“With the retirement of the chief on August 26, and another Commissioner demitting office in the end of September, currently 6 posts, including that of the chief are lying vacant and the pendency of appeals/complaints has risen to over 36,600,” said the plea.