State Information Commission
Also called: SIC · Topic: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial Bodies · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A State Information Commission (SIC) is a statutory body set up in each state under Section 15 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005. It hears appeals and complaints from citizens against state public authorities that refuse or delay information. Its decisions are binding, though courts can review them through writs. After the RTI (Amendment) Act 2019, the Centre sets the term and pay of State Information Commissioners.
Example
The Governor appoints the State Chief Information Commissioner and the commissioners. The Governor acts on the advice of a committee of the Chief Minister, the Leader of Opposition and a minister nominated by the Chief Minister. Say a district office refuses to share road-spending records. The citizen can take a second appeal to the SIC.
Don't confuse with
- Central Information Commission: it hears appeals against central public authorities. The President appoints its members on the advice of the PM, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a minister nominated by the PM.