Why In News?

The Central Information Commission (CIC) launched Appeal and Complaint Management System 2.0 (AppCoMS 2.0).

 

About AppCoMS 2.0 Portal

The Appeal and Complaint Management System (AppCoMS 2.0) is an advanced web-based workflow application designed to digitize the entire lifecycle of Second Appeals (Section 19(3)) and Complaints (Section 18) filed before the CIC.

 

Evolution of the System:

  • AppCoMS 1.0 (September 2016): Introduced basic online filing and case-number generation but required physical submissions for counter-affidavits and manual dispatch of hearing notices.

  • AppCoMS 2.0 (August 2026): Establishes a completely paperless, interoperable digital ecosystem connecting citizens, Public Information Officers (CPIOs), First Appellate Authorities (FAAs), and Information Commissioners.

 

About Central Information Commission (CIC)

Origin: Established by the Central Government in 2005 under Section 12 of the Right to Information Act, 2005; it functions as an autonomous, high-powered quasi-judicial body.

 

Jurisdictional Scope: Holds appellate and supervisory authority over all Central Public Authorities, including Union Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Central Universities, and Union Territory administrations.

 

Composition 

  • Consists of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and up to ten Information Commissioners (ICs).

  • Members are persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media, or administration.

 

High-Powered Appointment Committee 

  • The President appoints the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners on the recommendation of a three-member committee comprising:

    • The Prime Minister (Chairperson),

    • The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha (or leader of the single largest opposition party),

    • A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.

 

Tenure and Service Conditions 

  • Originally, the 2005 Act provided a fixed tenure of 5 years (or up to 65 years of age) with salaries equal to Election Commissioners.

  • The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 empowered the Central Government to prescribe the term of office (notified as 3 years), salaries, allowances, and service conditions via executive rules, which critics argue diluted institutional autonomy.

  • Commissioners are not eligible for reappointment to the same office.

 

Removal Mechanism 

  • The President can remove the Chief Information Commissioner or any Information Commissioner on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity only after the Supreme Court conducts an inquiry on a reference made by the President and upholds the charges.

 

Powers and Functions of the Commission

  • Inquiry into Complaints: Investigates complaints from any citizen who was unable to submit an RTI request, whose request was refused, who received no response within statutory deadlines, or who was charged unreasonable fees.

  • Adjudication of Second Appeals: Serves as the final administrative appellate forum against decisions of First Appellate Authorities; its decisions are binding on public authorities.

  • Civil Court Powers: While inquiring into any matter, the CIC exercises powers, including:

    • Summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and examining them on oath.

    • Requiring the discovery and production of documents.

    • Receiving evidence on affidavits.

    • Requisitioning any public record from any court or office.

  • Penal Powers:

    • Can impose a financial penalty of ₹250 per day (up to a maximum of ₹25,000) on errant CPIOs for refusing an application without reasonable cause, delaying information beyond 30 days, or providing misleading information.

    • Can recommend disciplinary action against defaulting officers under applicable service rules.

  • Annual Monitoring & Reporting: Prepares and submits an annual report to the Parliament on the implementation of RTI provisions across all central ministries. 

 

 

Source: PIB

 

 

 

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Central Information Commission (CIC):

  1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

  2. The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee headed by the Prime Minister.

  3. The Commission submits its annual report to the Union Parliament directly. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Central Information Commission (CIC) is a statutory body established in 2005 under the provisions of Section 12 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. It is not a constitutional body. 

Statement 2 is correct: The Chief Information Commissioner and other Information Commissioners are appointed by the President of India based on the recommendations of a three-member selection committee. This committee is headed by the Prime Minister as the Chairperson, and its other members are the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. 

Statement 3 is incorrect: Under Section 25 of the RTI Act, the Commission does not submit its report directly to the Union Parliament. Instead, it submits its annual report to the Central Government, which is then responsible for causing the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.