APPLYING THE LAW

Handling Appeals: Appeals to the Information Commission

The Central Act includes a second appeal to newly established independent Information Commissions. Appeals from decisions made by Appellate Authorities in public authorities under the Central Government will be heard by a Central Information Commission, while appeals from Appellate Authorities in public authorities that are the responsibility of a State Government will be heard by that State's Information Commission.

Some State laws also allowed for external appeals to bodies such as a Lokayukta, Public Grievances Commission or Administrative Tribunal. As an independent appeals body under an RTI law, it is important that such bodies recognise that the legislature has given them an additional responsibility to promote and protect the right to information - and that they should approach appeals with this in mind.

Please click on the link to the Central RTI Act to read the detailed provisions contained in the law. Please click on the link to CHRI's State RTI pages to find out more about relevant rules and implementation in your specific State.