Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today delivered a keynote address at the 13th Annual General Body Meeting of the National Federation of Information Commissions of India (NFICI), held at the Central Information Commission (CIC) headquarters. The event was attended by Chief Information Commissioner of India, Heeralal Samariya, and various Central and State Information Commissioners.
In his address, Dr. Singh commended the Central Information Commission for its exceptional performance in handling Right to Information (RTI) appeals, noting nearly 100 percent disposal rates. He praised NFICI for its significant role in advancing the Right to Information Act, 2005, and highlighted the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen-centric governance since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014.
Dr. Singh described the RTI Act as a crucial mechanism for maximum disclosure and minimal exemptions, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Maximum Governance, Minimum Government.” He pointed out that India’s Central Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPRAMS) has become a model for grievance redressal worldwide, with an impressive average resolution time of just five days due to technological advancements.
The Minister urged Information Commissioners to integrate Artificial Intelligence and other modern tools to enhance public information disclosure while emphasizing the importance of human oversight. He highlighted the establishment of a Human Desk to gather feedback from citizens post-grievance resolution.
Dr. Singh reiterated the Modi Government’s core principles of boosting transparency and accountability in governance. During the interaction, he listened to the grievances and suggestions of State Information Commissioners and assured them of a positive response.
He also praised the Central Information Commission for its outstanding work during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining operational efficiency throughout the crisis. Dr. Singh noted the improved accessibility for residents of Jammu and Kashmir following the establishment of a CIC branch in the Union Territory.
Reflecting on past achievements, Dr. Singh recalled that the CIC received its independent office complex after 2014, moving from a rented facility. In an inspiring message to the young officers of CIC, he encouraged them to be the torchbearers and conscience keepers of Vision 2047.
Chief Information Commissioner Heeralal Samariya informed the Minister about the steady progress of the CIC, reporting the disposal of nearly 17,000 second appeals annually. Secretary CIC, Rashmi Chowdhary, also briefed Dr. Singh on the various initiatives undertaken by the Information Commissions.
The meeting underscored the ongoing commitment of the CIC and NFICI to uphold the principles of transparency and public accountability, setting a benchmark for governance practices in India.
