Draft:Rahul Singh (commissioner)

Rahul Singh was born on January 23, 1977, to Chandrakanta Singh and NK Singh journalist. He is the State Information Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh. His journalistic career spans over two decades and encompasses roles at media outlets such as India Today- Aaj Tak, Times Now, Zee News, Sahara Samay, and ETV-News18. In March 2019, he assumed the role of State Information Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh, marking a transition into public service. In this capacity, he has implemented initiatives aimed at enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Early life and education
Born on January 23, 1977, Rahul's formative years were spent at Anand Vihar School in Bhopal, India and subsequently at the Demonstration Multipurpose School of Regional Institute of Education in Bhopal. his higher secondary education was ato Campion School in Bhopal and tertiary education at BSSS College. Singh enrolled at Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master's degree in English Literature from [[Bhopal University.

Career
He worked at ZEE News in Bhopal as a Reporter and Subeditor followed by roles at Sahara Samay TV, Sahara Samay Ahmedabad, and Sahara Samay Bhopal as Chief of Bureau. He joined to Times Now as Bureau Chief for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, His expose on the unethical allocation of land by the Madhya Pradesh government led to a Supreme Court intervention, At ETV-News 18, he played a role in channel management and content strategy. As Assistant Executive Editor and National Editor, he oversaw editorial operations across multiple regional channels.

Public service
Singh assumed the position of State Information Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh in March 2019. In this capacity, he has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Notable judgment
Singh has presided over several landmark judgments for ensuring compliance with the Right to Information (RTI) Act and holding public officials accountable for their actions Singh issued an arrest warrant against Dr. Vikram Singh Verma, the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) of District Bhuranpur, for non-compliance with RTI orders spanning two years. The warrant was issued following Dr. Verma's repeated failure to respond to an RTI application filed by Sadashiv Sonwane regarding the appointment of drivers within the health department. Despite successive orders from the State Information Commission (SIC) and imposition of penalties, Dr. Verma persisted in disregarding the directives, prompting Commissioner Singh to invoke powers akin to a civil court under the RTI Act. This landmark judgment demonstrates Singh's unwavering stance on accountability and his willingness to take decisive action to ensure compliance with RTI provisions.

Major Achievements
During his tenure as the State Information Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh, Rahul Singh has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.

Streamlining RTI Appeals
Through adept management and innovative problem-solving skills, Singh successfully streamlined the process of handling RTI appeals. His initiatives resulted in a notable reduction in the number of pending RTI appeals, ensuring a more efficient and responsive administration.

Training and Awareness Programs
Singh implemented comprehensive training programs for police and administrative officers throughout the state to enhance awareness and understanding of the RTI Act. These initiatives aimed to equip officers with the necessary knowledge and skills for the effective implementation and enforcement of transparency standards outlined in the Act.

Innovative use of technology
Singh became the first Information Commissioner in India to initiate a redressal mechanism via social media. Online hearings facilitated immediate redressal for appellants while also optimizing government resources and work hours. Additionally, Singh introduced live transmission of RTI Act hearings on the official Facebook page, aiming to promote transparency and increase public awareness of the Act among citizens.

Preservation of CCTV footage
In a landmark decision, Singh directed the Madhya Pradesh police to preserve CCTV footage upon receipt of RTI applications seeking such information. This decision addressed concerns regarding violations of Supreme Court guidelines on CCTV systems in police stations.