The campaign by Aamir Khan, Subhash Chandra, Arvind Kejriwal et al for Kiran Bedi’s appointment to the top CIC position is both flawed and inappropriate. The RTI Act 2005 is a landmark legislation that gives Indian citizens a platform to demand state accountability. Information commissioners are without doubt key to implementing the spirit of the RTI Act and not just its bare minimum legalese. If information is denied to the appellant, the Act allows two appeals: the First Appellate Authority (usually a direct supervisor of the PIO); then an Information Commissioner. If information is denied by the commissioner, there is no further source of redress. Hence, information commissioners are the final adjudicating authority for the implementation of the Act. There is wide consensus that differential and often regressive application of the Act by the Commissioners has stymied the Act’s implementation and intention. The Chief Information Commissioner is thus central to free access to information, necessary for a functional democracy.
Why Aamir Khan shouldn't lobby for Kiran Bedi (or anyone else)
Why Aamir Khan shouldn't lobby for Kiran Bedi…
Why Aamir Khan shouldn't lobby for Kiran Bedi (or anyone else)
The campaign by Aamir Khan, Subhash Chandra, Arvind Kejriwal et al for Kiran Bedi’s appointment to the top CIC position is both flawed and inappropriate. The RTI Act 2005 is a landmark legislation that gives Indian citizens a platform to demand state accountability. Information commissioners are without doubt key to implementing the spirit of the RTI Act and not just its bare minimum legalese. If information is denied to the appellant, the Act allows two appeals: the First Appellate Authority (usually a direct supervisor of the PIO); then an Information Commissioner. If information is denied by the commissioner, there is no further source of redress. Hence, information commissioners are the final adjudicating authority for the implementation of the Act. There is wide consensus that differential and often regressive application of the Act by the Commissioners has stymied the Act’s implementation and intention. The Chief Information Commissioner is thus central to free access to information, necessary for a functional democracy.