In Brief
This public interest litigation challenged inadequate functioning of the Central and State Information Commissions due to unfilled vacancies, leading to massive backlogs of RTI appeals. The Court held that the Right to Information Act's time-bound framework cannot be realized without adequate commissioner strength. The judgment directs governments to: fill vacancies promptly by starting recruitment 1-2 months before vacancies occur; ensure transparent appointment procedures by disclosing all information online; expand selection to include diverse professionals beyond government employees; and increase commissioner strength in specific commissions. The Court recognized that effective RTI implementation is essential for good governance and democracy.
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