Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government has formally constituted the State Information Commission with the appointment of a Chief Information Commissioner and two Information Commissioners. Retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and former Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, Amitabh Jain (IAS: 1989: CG), has been appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner. Along with him, retired IAS officer Umesh Agarwal (IAS: 2004: CG) and senior journalist Shirish Mishra have been appointed as Information Commissioners.
The appointments were notified by the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Chhattisgarh government. According to the notification, the tenure, salary, allowances, and other service conditions of the State Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners will be governed by the Right to Information Rules, 2019, as notified by the Government of India.
Strengthening the RTI Framework in Chhattisgarh
With these appointments, the Chhattisgarh government has taken a significant step towards strengthening the institutional framework of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in the state. The State Information Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective implementation of RTI provisions by adjudicating appeals and complaints related to information disclosure.
The inclusion of experienced administrators and a senior journalist in the Commission is expected to bring administrative insight, governance experience, and public communication sensitivity to the functioning of the RTI mechanism in the state.
Amitabh Jain: A Veteran Administrator at the Helm
Amitabh Jain is a distinguished 1989-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre who recently concluded a long and record-setting tenure as the Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh. Born on June 21, 1965, in Dalli Rajhara of Durg district in undivided Madhya Pradesh (now Chhattisgarh), Jain has had an illustrious career spanning over three and a half decades.
Early Life and Academic Excellence
Amitabh Jain completed his early schooling in Dalli Rajhara and demonstrated academic brilliance by topping the Higher Secondary (Class 11) Board Examination in undivided Madhya Pradesh.
He went on to pursue Mechanical Engineering from Bhopal and later earned an M.Tech in Systems and Management from IIT Delhi, equipping him with strong technical and managerial expertise.
Fluent in English and Hindi, Jain’s academic and professional background has consistently complemented his administrative responsibilities.
Administrative Career and Key Postings
Jain joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1989, initially serving in the Madhya Pradesh cadre before opting for the Chhattisgarh cadre after the state’s formation in 2000.
First Posting: Assistant Collector, Jabalpur (June 1990)
District Administration: Served as Collector in multiple districts including Raigarh (1997), Chhatarpur, Hoshangabad, Rajgarh, and Neemuch
Raipur Collector: Held the post twice, including during the formation of Chhattisgarh in November 2000, playing a key role in administrative transition
Central and International Experience
Jain also served on central deputation for seven years, holding positions such as Director and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.
His international exposure includes a significant diplomatic assignment as Minister (Economic) at the Indian High Commission in London, where he worked towards strengthening India–UK trade and investment relations.
Historic Tenure as Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh
Amitabh Jain was appointed as the 12th Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh on November 30, 2020, succeeding R.P. Mandal.
Longest-Serving Chief Secretary: He holds the record for the longest tenure in the state’s history
Historic Extension: Though scheduled to retire on June 30, 2025, he was granted a three-month extension by the Centre — the first such extension ever granted to a Chief Secretary in Chhattisgarh
Additional Responsibility: In 2024, he was given additional charge as Vice Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Policy Commission
He superannuated on September 30, 2025, and was succeeded by Vikas Sheel as Chief Secretary.
New Role in Public Accountability
With his appointment as Chief Information Commissioner, Amitabh Jain brings decades of administrative experience, policy understanding, and governance insight to the State Information Commission. His leadership is expected to enhance the effectiveness, independence, and credibility of the RTI system in Chhattisgarh.
Other Commissioners Appointed
Alongside Jain, the government has appointed:
- Umesh Agarwal (IAS: 2004: CG) – Retired IAS officer with administrative experience
- Shirish Mishra – Senior journalist, bringing media and public accountability perspective
Their combined expertise is expected to strengthen decision-making and transparency within the Commission.
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