Bhubaneswar, April 9: Retired IAS officer Manoj Kumar Parida (AGMUT cadre) has been appointed as the new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Odisha. Parida brings with him decades of administrative experience, having previously served as the Insurance Ombudsman in Bhubaneswar for a three-year term. 

His vast experience in public service is expected to strengthen transparency and accountability mechanisms under the Right to Information (RTI) framework in the state.

In addition to Parida’s appointment, the Odisha government has also named three new Information Commissioners. They are Pranabindu Acharya, a retired IPS officer; Kalpana Pattnaik, a senior advocate of the Orissa High Court; and Pabitra Mandal, another retired IAS officer. Together, they form the core team of the Odisha State Information Commission.

Constituted under the RTI Act, 2005, the Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring citizens' access to information from public authorities. It adjudicates appeals, investigates complaints regarding refusal or delay in providing information, and monitors government departments’ compliance with RTI norms. With the new appointments, the Commission is expected to function more effectively and expedite pending RTI appeals and grievances.

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