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12 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu
2 min
Polity & GovernanceSocial IssuesNEWS

Government Counters Rahul Gandhi's Claims on Marginalized Communities' Exclusion

Government Counters Rahul Gandhi's Claims on Marginalized Communities' Exclusion

Photo by Valdhy Mbemba

The Union government refuted Rahul Gandhi's assertion that only 7% of candidates for Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), Information Commissioners, and Vigilance Commissioner posts were from marginalized communities. Government sources stated that for the eight vacant Information Commissioner posts, they recommended candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, a minority community, and a woman. They also shared data comparing appointments under UPA and NDA regimes to highlight their point.

मुख्य तथ्य

1.

Rahul Gandhi claimed only 7% of candidates for top posts were from marginalized communities.

2.

Government sources said they recommended candidates from SC, ST, OBC, minority community, and a woman for Information Commissioner posts.

3.

Government sources shared a comparison of appointments under UPA and NDA regimes.

4.

Heeralal Samariya became the first-ever candidate from the Scheduled Castes to be appointed as Chief Information Commissioner in 2023.

UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण

1.

Constitutional provisions related to reservation

2.

Role and functions of the Central Information Commission

3.

Appointment process of Information Commissioners

4.

Government policies on representation of marginalized communities

दृश्य सामग्री

और जानकारी

पृष्ठभूमि

The Central Information Commission (CIC) is a statutory body established under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. It is responsible for hearing appeals and complaints from individuals who have been denied information requested under the RTI Act. The composition of the CIC and the appointment process of Information Commissioners are crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.

नवीनतम घटनाक्रम

Recent claims by Rahul Gandhi regarding the under-representation of marginalized communities in appointments to the CIC and related positions have been countered by the government. The government has presented data to support its claim that it has adequately represented marginalized communities in these appointments.

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Central Information Commission (CIC): 1. The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee. 2. The CIC is empowered to impose penalties on public information officers who fail to provide information within the stipulated time. 3. The decisions of the CIC are binding on all public authorities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: D

All three statements are correct. The President appoints the CIC members based on recommendations. The CIC can impose penalties. Its decisions are binding.

2. With reference to the appointment of Information Commissioners, which of the following statements is NOT correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: D

The salary and allowances of Information Commissioners are equivalent to those of the Chief Election Commissioner, not a Judge of the Supreme Court.

3. Assertion (A): Ensuring representation of marginalized communities in statutory bodies like the Central Information Commission is crucial for social justice. Reason (R): It promotes inclusivity and ensures that the perspectives of these communities are considered in decision-making processes. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why representation is important for social justice.

4. Which of the following committees/commissions has NOT specifically addressed the issue of representation of marginalized communities in government institutions?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: C

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee primarily focused on Panchayati Raj institutions and did not specifically address representation in government institutions in the same way as the other options.

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