After a hiatus of over three years, Tripura has finally appointed a Chief of the State Information Commission, a move seen as pivotal for restoring transparency and functionality to the institution. On Tuesday, Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu administered the oath of office to Binoy Shankar Mishra, who has taken charge as the new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC). The ceremony was conducted at the Raj Bhavan and kept simple yet formal.
The event saw the presence of several senior officials, including Uttam Kumar Chakma, the Governor’s Secretary, and Manik Lal Das, Secretary of the Information Commission. Special Secretary of the General Administration Department, Anindya Kumar Bhattacharya, facilitated the proceedings. This appointment is the result of deliberations by a three-member committee led by Chief Minister Manik Saha. The committee also included Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chowdhury and a senior cabinet minister, ensuring a balanced and collaborative decision-making process. Binoy Shankar Mishra, a retired Indian Forest Service officer, will hold the position for three years or until he attains the age of 65, whichever comes earlier.
The post of CIC had been lying vacant since mid-2021, following the resignation of Akhil Kumar Shukla, a senior IPS officer and former Director General of Tripura Police. During this period, the absence of a CIC and other state information commissioners rendered the Right to Information Commission in the state almost defunct. Despite a growing backlog of appeals and complaints, the Commission’s operations were severely hampered. Official data revealed that over 2,000 appellate applications seeking resolutions were pending action.
The Right to Information Act, 2005, which came into force across India on October 12, 2005, was a landmark law aimed at fostering transparency and accountability in governance. Tripura established its State Information Commission in January 2006, shortly after the Act’s enactment. The Tripura Right to Information Rules were framed the same year and later revised in February 2008 to address evolving requirements and streamline processes.
With Mishra’s appointment, there is hope for the revival of the Commission, which has long been perceived as a critical institution for upholding citizens’ right to information. His leadership is expected to bring much-needed efficiency and focus to clearing the backlog of pending appeals and ensuring that the principles of transparency and accountability are upheld in the state’s administrative framework.
