◇ It is the duty of the Commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person: (a) who has not been able to submit an information request because of non-appointment of a Public Information officer. (b) who has been refused information that was requested; (c) who has not received response to his information request within the specified time limits.(d) who thinks the fees charged are unreasonable; (e) who thinks information given is incomplete, misleading or false; and (f) any other matter relating to obtaining information. ◇ The Commission can order inquiry into any matter if there are reasonable grounds (suo-moto power). ◇ While inquiring, the Commission has the powers of a civil court in respect of the following matters: (a) summoning and enforcing attendance of persons and compelling them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce documents or things; (b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents; 5.2K08:44 PM(c) receiving evidence on affidavit; (d) requisitioning any public record from any court or office; (e) issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents.
PROTECTION OF LINGUISTIC MINORITIES
Constitution makes the following provisions: ◇ Every aggrieved person has the right to submit a representation for the redress of any grievance to any officer or authority of the Union or a state in any of the languages used in the Union or in the state, as the case may be. This means that a representation cannot be rejected on the ground that it is not in the official language. ◇ Every state and a local authority in the state should provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups. The president can issue necessary directions for this purpose. ◇ The president should appoint a special officer for linguistic minorities to investigate all matters relating to the constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities and to report to him. The president should place all such reports before the Parliament and send to the state government concerned.