A room within the Prime Minister’s Office—and the 88-minute-long meeting held there between PM Modi, Amit Shah, and Rahul Gandhi—remained the focal point of discussion throughout Wednesday. Although it was known that the three senior leaders were scheduled to meet to discuss candidates for the post of Chief Information Commissioner, the meeting was not expected to last for such an extended duration.
**Rahul Gandhi Meets PM Modi and Amit Shah**
According to established norms, the Prime Minister, a Union Minister nominated by the PM, and the Leader of the Opposition are the sole decision-makers regarding the appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner, Information Commissioners, and top-ranking officials within the Vigilance Department.
Rahul Gandhi arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office at 1:00 PM, and the meeting commenced at 1:07 PM. However, as time passed, eyebrows began to be raised among Members of Parliament. They began speculating on other potential items that might be on the meeting’s agenda.
**Discussion Held on the Appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner**
Eighty-eight minutes later, when Rahul Gandhi emerged from the room, it became apparent that the discussion had not been limited solely to the appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner, but also encompassed the appointment of eight Information Commissioners and one Vigilance Commissioner. According to reports, Gandhi registered his objections regarding all these appointments.
Objections raised by opposition leaders participating in such meetings are generally anticipated. While the outcome on this occasion was no different, the events that transpired during the 88-minute meeting sparked intense discussion within the corridors of Parliament.
**8 Vacancies in the Central Information Commission**
Currently, there are eight vacancies within the Central Information Commission (CIC), including the post of Chief Information Commissioner. It is these officials who adjudicate upon the complaints and appeals filed by applicants under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Until September 13, Hiralal Samariya served as India’s Chief Information Commissioner. The post has remained vacant since his retirement. At present, only two Information Commissioners—Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari—are managing the workload.
30,838 Cases Currently Pending Before the CIC
According to the CIC’s official website, there are currently 30,838 cases pending before the Commission. Under Section 12(3) of the Right to Information Act, the Prime Minister serves as the Chairperson of the Selection Committee, which also includes the Leader of the Opposition and a Union Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
Together, they select and recommend names for the appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners.
