Heeralal Samariya on November 6, became India’s first Dalit Chief Information Commissioner. He was administered the oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu.
- Samariya, 63, is a former IAS officer, had served as Labour and Employment Secretary.
- He was born in a remote and small village Pahadi of Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.
- According to the Right to Information Act, 2005, the CIC and ICs are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee headed by the PM and comprising the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha (in this case the leader of the largest Opposition party) and a Union Minister nominated by the PM.
- Term of office: The Chief Information Commissioner, or Information Commissioners, as the case may be, shall hold office for a period of three years from the date on which he enters upon his office.
- Section 12(6) of the RTI Act 2005 provides that Chief Information Commissioner or an Information Commissioner shall not be a Member of Parliament or Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory as the case may be , or hold any other office of profit or connected with any political party or carrying on any business or pursuing any profession.
