CM Samrat Choudhary attends Bihar SIC swearing-in at Lok Bhavan
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bihar's accountability machinery got new leadership on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as the State Chief Information Commissioner and State Information Commissioners took their oaths of office at a formal ceremony in Patna — and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was in the front row to witness it.
CM Choudhary attended the swearing-in ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, Bihar's seat of administrative power, and extended his warm wishes to the newly appointed officials. Writing in Hindi, he noted that he had 'हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ दीं' ('extended heartfelt good wishes') for the 'successful discharge of their new responsibilities.'
Why the Information Commission matters for Bihar
The State Information Commission is the apex body that adjudicates disputes and appeals under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 — the law that gives ordinary citizens the power to demand transparency from government offices. The commission's functioning directly determines how quickly and honestly public authorities respond to RTI applications filed by citizens, journalists, and activists.
A fully constituted commission with active commissioners is essential to clearing the backlog of RTI appeals that accumulates in any large state. Bihar, with a population exceeding 12 crore, generates a significant volume of RTI requests across departments ranging from land records to welfare schemes. The new appointees step into roles that carry real consequence for everyday governance.
A ceremony, a commitment
The Chief Minister's presence at the ceremony signals the state government's formal endorsement of the incoming commissioners and its stated commitment to a functioning transparency architecture. Swearing-in events at Lok Bhavan are typically attended by senior officials and ministers, giving the occasion institutional weight beyond the symbolic.
With fresh leadership now installed at the commission, Bihar's RTI appellate machinery is positioned to resume or accelerate its work — a development that directly affects citizens awaiting decisions on pending appeals.