The correct answer is: C. First Appellate Authority
The Assistant Public Information Officer (APIO) is a public servant who is appointed by the head of the public authority to assist the Public Information Officer (PIO) in carrying out his/her duties under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The APIO is not a PIO and does not have the power to decide first appeals. The first appeal against an order or decision of a PIO has to be filed with the First Appellate
Authority, who is appointed by the State Government.The First Appellate Authority is a quasi-judicial authority and has the power to hear and decide first appeals. The First Appellate Authority has to decide the appeal within 30 days of its receipt. The decision of the First Appellate Authority is final and binding on the parties.
The following are the options for the question:
A. Public Information Officer (PIO)
The PIO is a public servant who is appointed by the head of the public authority to receive requests for information under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The PIO is responsible for providing information to the public and for responding to first appeals.B. The head of the authority
The head of the authority is the highest-ranking official in the public authority. The head of the authority is responsible for ensuring that the public authority complies with the Right to Information Act, 2005.C. First Appellate Authority
The First Appellate Authority is a quasi-judicial authority that is appointed by the State Government. The First Appellate Authority has the power to hear and decide first appeals against orders or decisions of the PIO.D. None of the above
The APIO is not a PIO and does not have the power to decide first appeals. The first appeal against an order or decision of a PIO has to be filed with the First Appellate Authority.