Leadership Void: The Appointment of India's Chief Information Commissioner

A committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened to appoint the new Chief Information Commissioner amidst dissent from Rahul Gandhi. The selection process and vacancies remain contentious, as the Central Information Commission faces a backlog of cases, operating with only two commissioners.

The committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on Wednesday to select a new Chief Information Commissioner and fill eight Information Commissioner vacancies. The meeting involved key figures, including Rahul Gandhi and Home Minister Amit Shah, and was marked by Gandhi's noted dissent regarding the selection criteria.

Rahul Gandhi expressed dissatisfaction with the selection process, seeking more details on the appointees and questioning the criteria used. His dissent is indicative of tension within the appointment process,a particularly critical issue as the Commission deals with a backlog of over 30,000 cases while operating below capacity.

Despite the disagreement, the Prime Minister's committee, as mandated by the Right to Information Act and inclusive of a Union minister, remains responsible for recommendations that the President officially appoints. The Commission continues functioning headless, facing significant operational challenges with numerous pending applications for these vital roles.

(With inputs from agencies.)