The DoPT is unwilling to vary its settled position on constitution of CIC Benches without amendments to the RTI Act 2005. This was informally communicated in advance to the Secretary of the CIC on Friday. The legal opinion obtained from the Department of Legal Affairs was also conveyed to him.
The impasse caused by the recent order of Delhi High Court which went into the issue of the CIC's functioning is expected to be discussed during the CIC's monthly meeting on 2nd June, who are expected to recommend that an ordinance be issued to get around the situation where deciding RTI appeals is construed as contempt of the Court. Several Information Commissioners have already expressed their concern with the judgement and its consequences. Prof M M Ansari the senior-most Information Commissioner had also aired his personal view that there is no option now except to amend the law and preserve the statutory autonomy of the Information Commissions against interference from the Courts
