Nearly 34,000 complaints, appeals pending before CIC: Govt

Nearly 34,000 complaints and appeals are pending before the Central Information Commission, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said since the information on cases pending before the state information commissions is not centrally maintained, he cannot confirm the pendency at that level.
"As far as the Central Information Commission (CIC) is concerned, the pendency of appeals/complaints as on October 31, 2014 is 33,898," he said in a written reply.
The CIC, he said, has been granted autonomy in recruitment of staff. Recruitment rules have been notified for all the 14 categories of posts in the CIC and the information body is in the process of making appointment to various posts.

In addition, government has appointed five more Information Commissioners in the CIC with effect from November 22, 2013.
"The government has also taken several steps like issue of guidelines for the Central Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities enabling them to supply information/dispose off first appeal effectively resulting in less number of appeals to the Commission," Singh said.