Tamil Nadu to have two more State Information Commissioners

The State government has decided to have two more State Information Commissioners in the Tamil Nadu Information Commission. Besides the State Chief Information Commissioner, Tamil Nadu will have eight State Information Commissioners.

While constituting the Commission in 2005, the State government had issued orders for appointing one State Chief Information Commissioner and two State Information Commissioners. In 2008, it raised the number of State Information Commissioners from two to six.

The number of appeals is among the factors being considered to increase the number of State Information Commissioners. As of now, there is one State Chief Information Commissioner and five State Information Commissioners holding the post.

As per Section 15(2) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, “the State Information Commission shall consist of one State Chief Information Commissioner and such number of State Information Commissioners not exceeding 10 as may be deemed necessary.”

The State Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioners are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Chief Minister, who shall be the Chairperson of the committee, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, and a Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Chief Minister.