Chhattisgarh Constitutes State Information Commission: Former Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain Appointed Chief Information Commissioner, Umesh Agarwal and Shirish Mishra Named Information Commissioners
The Chhattisgarh government has formally operationalised the State Information Commission with the appointment of a Chief Information Commissioner and two Information Commissioners, marking a major administrative step toward reinforcing the Right to Information (RTI) framework in the state.
Veteran Indian Administrative Service officer and former Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, Amitabh Jain (IAS: 1989: CG), has been appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC). Accompanying him on the Commission are Umesh Agarwal (IAS: 2004: CG – Retired) and Shirish Mishra, a senior journalist, who have been appointed as Information Commissioners.
The appointments have been formally notified by the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Government of Chhattisgarh. As per the notification, the tenure, remuneration, allowances and other service conditions of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners shall be governed by the Right to Information Rules, 2019, notified by the Government of India.
Major Step to Strengthen RTI Mechanism in Chhattisgarh
The constitution of the State Information Commission is being viewed as a decisive move by the state government to strengthen transparency, public accountability and the effective implementation of the RTI Act.
The Commission functions as the apex appellate authority for RTI-related grievances and plays a pivotal role in adjudicating second appeals, complaints, and matters related to access to public information. The inclusion of two senior bureaucrats and an experienced journalist is expected to infuse administrative wisdom, policy sensitivity and public-interest perspective into the working of the RTI framework.
Amitabh Jain to Head the RTI Authority
Amitabh Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, brings with him over 35 years of distinguished administrative experience. Widely regarded as one of the most respected civil servants of the state, Jain recently completed a historic and record-breaking tenure as Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh.
Born on June 21, 1965, in Dalli Rajhara of Durg district in the then undivided Madhya Pradesh (now Chhattisgarh), Jain has had an illustrious career spanning district administration, central government postings and international diplomatic assignments.
Academic Excellence and Professional Foundation
Jain completed his schooling in Dalli Rajhara and topped the Higher Secondary Board Examination of undivided Madhya Pradesh. He pursued Mechanical Engineering in Bhopal and later earned an M.Tech in Systems and Management from IIT Delhi, equipping him with advanced technical and managerial expertise. He is fluent in both English and Hindi.
Distinguished Administrative Career
After joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1989, Jain initially served in the Madhya Pradesh cadre before opting for the Chhattisgarh cadre following the state’s formation in 2000.
Key Administrative Assignments:
Assistant Collector, Jabalpur (1990)
Collector in multiple districts including Raigarh, Chhatarpur, Hoshangabad, Rajgarh and Neemuch
Collector, Raipur (twice) — including during the formation of Chhattisgarh in 2000, where he played a key role in the administrative transition
Central Government and International Exposure
Jain served on central deputation for seven years, holding key positions such as Director and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.
Internationally, he represented India as Minister (Economic) at the Indian High Commission in London, where he worked extensively on enhancing India–UK trade, investment cooperation and economic diplomacy.
Record-Breaking Tenure as Chief Secretary
Amitabh Jain was appointed as the 12th Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh on November 30, 2020, succeeding R.P. Mandal.
Longest-serving Chief Secretary in the state’s history
Granted a historic three-month extension beyond superannuation, a first for any Chief Secretary in Chhattisgarh
Held additional charge as Vice Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Policy Commission in 2024
He superannuated on September 30, 2025, and was succeeded by Vikas Sheel.
New Role in Public Accountability
As Chief Information Commissioner, Jain is expected to bring institutional integrity, policy clarity and governance experience to the RTI system. His appointment is widely seen as a move that will enhance the independence, effectiveness and credibility of the State Information Commission.
Other Commissioners Appointed
Alongside Jain, the Commission will also benefit from:
Umesh Agarwal (IAS: 2004: CG – Retired) – A seasoned administrator with extensive field and secretariat experience
Shirish Mishra – Senior journalist, bringing media ethics, public accountability and citizen-centric transparency perspective
Together, the trio is expected to significantly strengthen the transparency architecture of Chhattisgarh.
