NEWS – Governor of Karnataka appoints new officials for the Karnataka Information Commission.

HIGHLIGHTS

• New Appointments:
  • Ashit Mohan Prasad (IPS Retd.) appointed as Chief Information Commissioner.
  • Seven new Information Commissioners appointed: Mamatha B.R. (IAS Retd.), Rajashekara S. (Journalist), Badruddin K. (Journalist), Rudranna Harthikote (Journalist), Raman K., Harish Kumar, and Narayan G. Channal.
• Background:
  • Established: 30.07.2005.
  • Headquarters: Bangalore.
• Key Functions & Duties (RTI Act, Chapter V):
  • Handles complaints related to:
    • Non-appointment of Public Information Officers (PIOs).
    • Refusal by PIOs/APIOs to accept/forward RTI applications/appeals.
    • Denial of requested information.
    • Delayed or no response to RTI requests.
    • Unreasonable fees.
    • Incomplete, misleading, or false information.
    • Other matters related to accessing records under RTI.
  • Powers similar to a Civil Court (Code of Civil Procedure, 1908) for inquiries:
    • Summoning and enforcing attendance.
    • Document discovery and inspection.
    • Receiving evidence on affidavit.
    • Requisitioning public records.
    • Issuing summons for witnesses/documents.
  • Second Appellate Authority (against First Appellate Authority orders).
  • Can direct Public Authorities to comply with the RTI Act.
  • Empowered to impose penalties on PIOs/APIOs and recommend disciplinary action.
  • Prepares Annual Report on RTI implementation, tabled in the State Legislature.
• Structure & Leadership:
  • Chief Information Commissioner heads the Commission.
  • Assisted by seven Information Commissioners.
  • Autonomous functioning, not subject to directions from other authorities.
• Legal Framework:
  • Governed by the Right to Information Act 2005 and related Rules.
  • Exercises some powers of Courts under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
• Salaries & Allowances:
  • Chief Information Commissioner: Equivalent to an Election Commissioner.
  • Information Commissioner: Equivalent to Chief Secretary to the State Government.
  • Other staff: Equivalent to State Government Employees of similar rank.
  • Outsourced personnel: Minimum wage or contracted rate, whichever is higher.