Mumbai (Maharashtra): Rahul Pande was formally sworn in as the new State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) of Maharashtra during a ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai on Monday. The oath of office was administered by Maharashtra Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan.
In addition to Pande, the governor also administered the oath to three newly appointed State Information Commissioners (SICs): Ravindra Thakre, Prakash Indalkar, and Gajanan Nimdev. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated Pande on his new role, saying, “Heartiest Congratulations to Rahul Pande on taking oath as State Chief Information Commissioner, and to Ravindra Thakre, Prakash Indalkar, and Gajanan Nimdev on taking oath as State Information Commissioners at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai today. Best wishes to uphold the Right to Information and empower citizens through transparency.”
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, MLC Parinay Phuke, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Brijesh Singh, among other dignitaries. The event began with the national anthem and the state song, concluding with another rendition of the national anthem. Dr. Prashant Narnaware, the secretary to the governor, read the official notifications regarding the appointments before the oaths were administered.
These new appointments are anticipated to enhance the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act within the state. The State Information Commission is established by the state government through a Gazette notification, comprising one State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) and up to ten State Information Commissioners (SICs), all appointed by the governor. The location of the SIC headquarters is determined by the state government, which also approves the establishment of additional offices.
The State Information Commission operates independently and has the authority to conduct inquiries, issue summons for testimony, direct public authorities to appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs) or Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs) as needed, and request annual reports from public authorities. While the Central Information Commission (CIC) must submit an annual report to the central government, the State Information Commission is similarly required to report to the state government.
