In Chhattisgarh, the state government has named retired IAS officer Amitabh Jain as the new State Chief Information Commissioner, aiming to enhance transparency and the implementation of the Right to Information Act. This appointment resolves a prolonged vacancy in the State Information Commission. Alongside Jain, two others, retired IAS officer Umesh Agarwal and senior journalist Shirish Chandra Mishra, have been appointed as State Information Commissioners for a three-year term.
The appointments, approved by the Governor of Chhattisgarh, follow a period of delays due to a court case concerning the Chief Information Commissioner’s position. With the legal obstacles now overcome, the General Administration Department has issued the official notification, allowing the reconstituted commission to resume operations fully. These appointments signify the critical role of State Information Commissions in upholding transparency and the RTI Act nationwide.
As per the notification, the terms of service, salary, and other conditions for the appointees will adhere to the Right to Information Rules of 2019. Amitabh Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer who retired as Chief Secretary in September 2025, brings a wealth of administrative experience to the commission, expected to enhance its efficiency and credibility. These appointments are viewed positively in terms of reducing pending cases and improving public access to information in Chhattisgarh.
