BCCI and RTI Act BCCI’s Stand on RTI Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) argues that it is a private and autonomous body. Therefore, it claims it does not qualify as a “public authority” under the Right to Information Act (RTI Act). Section 2(h) of RTI Act Section 2(h) defines a public authority as: Any authority or institution established by: the Constitution, Parliamentary law, State law, or government notification. It also includes bodies that are: owned, controlled, or substantially financed by the government. NGOs receiving substantial government funding are also covered. BCCI’s Legal Argument BCCI states that it is: a charitable society, Registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. Hence, it argues that it is independent of government control. Article 12 of the Constitution BCCI argues it does not fall under the definition of “State” in Article 12 of the Constitution of India. Article 12 includes: Union Government, State Governments, Legislatures, and local or other authorities under government control. Central Information Commission (CIC) The Central Information Commission (CIC) is an independent apex authority responsible for dealing with complaints and adjudicating appeals under the Right to Information Act. It examines matters related to central government departments, ministries, public sector enterprises, financial institutions, and offices functioning under the Central Government and Union Territories. The CIC was set up by the Central Government in 2005 under the RTI Act. Therefore, it is a statutory body and not a constitutional body. The Commission consists of one Chief Information Commissioner along with a maximum of ten Information Commissioners. The Chief Information Commissioner and the Information Commissioners are appointed by the President of India on the advice of a selection committee. This committee is headed by the Prime Minister and also includes the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a…
