What is the role of CIC?

Role of CIC:

• Power to order inquiry if there are reasonable grounds.
• Receive and inquire into a complaint from any person:
1. Who has not received any response to his request for information within a specified time
2. Who deems the information given to him/her incomplete, false or misleading, and any other matter related to securing the information
3. Who has been unable to submit a request for information due to the non-appointment of an officer
4. Who considers the fees so charged unreasonable
5. Who was refused the information requested
• CIC/SCIC will have powers of Civil Court such as – 
1. Summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons, compelling them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce documents or things;
2. Requiring the discovery and inspection of documents; 
3. Receiving evidence on affidavit ;
4. Requisitioning public records or copies from any court or office 
5. Issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents
6. Any other matter which may be prescribed.
• All records covered by this law (including those covered by exemptions) must be given to CIC/SCIC during inquiry for examination.
• The CIC also submits an annual report to the GOI on the implementation of the provisions of the Act. This report is then placed before both the Houses of Parliament.

Further Reading:

• Central Information Commission
• Indian Polity Notes