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Abstract

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, provides for the Constitution of the State Information Commissions (SICs) and the Central Information Commission (CICs) for acting as the final appellate authorities. These Information Commissions have been entrusted with statutory powers while hearing complaints and appeals. These Commissions also enjoy the power to impose penalty and to recommend disciplinary action against the public information officers. Besides, there prevails large-scale confusion in them regarding the contents of Sections 18–20. This has culminated in adverse comments on their decisions by the Supreme Court (SC) and the High Courts (HC). An attempt is being made in this article to evaluate the functioning of these commissions and also about the interpretations given by various High Courts (HCs) and the Supreme Court (SC) about the Constitution, transaction of business and powers of the Information Commissions.

Keywords

Right to Information public information officers first appellate authority second appellate authority state information commissions Central Information Commission Sections 18(3) and 19

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References

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The Information Commissions in India: A Jurisprudential Explication of Their Powers and Functions

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