Plea for lucidity in choice of CIC

The Hindu; THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, October 3, 2010;

The RTI Kerala Federation has urged Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy to ensure that the appointment of the State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) is done in a transparent manner.

In memoranda submitted to the Chief Minister and the Opposition leader, federation president K.N.K. Namboodiri and general secretary D.B. Binu said the appointment of a new CIC was due following the expiry of the term of Palat Mohandas as CIC.
They demanded that only people having the qualification specified in the Right to Information Act be appointed as CIC. They alleged that one of the appointments to the commission in the past had violated the provisions of the Act.

They urged the government to adopt an exemplary procedure in such appointments. Nominations to the post should be called for and an opportunity given to people to record their opinion on the nominees before making the choice. Only people committed to the law on right to information and public interest should be appointed. Such measures were needed for meaningful enforcement of the law.

Under the provisions of the Act, a committee constituted with the Chief Minister, Opposition leader and a Minister as members is to recommend a candidate to the Governor for appointment as CIC.