Over 24,000 appeals, complaints pending in CIC

Over 24,000 complaints and appeals filed by various information seekers under Right to Information Act are pending with the Central Information Commission, the government said today.
"The CIC has informed pendency of around 24,800 appeals or complaints as on November 30, 2013," Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy told Lok Sabha in a written reply.
The transparency watchdog does not maintain ministry or department-wise pendency of appeals or complaints, he said.
At the time of constitution of the CIC, 68 posts were created in 2005. In 2007, the posts were enhanced to 106 and later to 116 in 2008. The Staff Inspection Unit of the Department of Expenditure in 2010 assessed the requirement of posts as 154 and after detailed consultation with the Department of Expenditure, 160 posts had been sanctioned in 2011.

"Further, CIC has been granted autonomy in recruitment of staff," said Narayanasamy.
The Central 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 or dispose off first appeal effectively resulting in lesser number of appeals to the Commission.
"The Commission on its part has launched special drive to clear the pendency of appeals or complaints," the Minister said.
The CIC has received as many as 28,875 complaints or appeals during 2010-11 and disposed off 24,071.

In 2011-12, 33,922 such cases were received by the Commission of which 23,122 were disposed.