Vijai Sharma appointed as new Chief Information Commissioner

June 9, 2015

President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed Vijai Sharma as Chief Information Commissioner.
He will have tenure of for 5 years or till they attain the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
Vijai Sharma is a 1974 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh Cadre. Prior to this appointment he was serving as information commissioner in Central Information Commission since 2012.
He has rich work experience in Administration & Governance and Law & Policy in Central and State Governments and United Nations. He also had served as Environment secretary.
Background
Vijai Sharma’s name for Chief Information Commissioner was finalized on June 1, 2015 by selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising Union minister Arun Jaitley as well as Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge.

About Central Information Commission

The Right To Information (RTI) Act, 2005 provides for establishment of Central and State information commissioner as a designated statutory authority to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person.
The general superintendence, direction and management of the affairs of the Commission are vested in the Chief Information Commissioner, who is assisted by the Information Commissioners.
Under the CIC, the Chief Information Commissioner enjoys complete financial and administrative powers of a Department of the Government of India except in matters relating to the creation of posts, re-appropriation and writing-off losses for which it needs the specific concurrence of the Ministry of Finance.
Appointment: The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a selection committee comprising of Prime Minister as Chairperson, the leader of single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
Tenure: Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioner hold office for a term of 5 years or till he attains the age of 65 years. The Chief Information Commissioner is not eligible for reappointment.
Wajahat Habibullah was India’s first Chief Information Commissioner. He was appointed on 26 October 2005.

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