PIL against RTI Commissioners

Deccan Chronicle: Hyderabad: Saturday, February 09, 2013.

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed against the appointment of RTI Information Commissioners by Andhra Pradesh government.

Former Union Home Secretary Padmanabhaiah has filed the petition against the appointment of four persons with political affiliations as Information Commissioners.

The Governor had earlier sent back the file of four names for reconsideration as the selected candidates have political affiliations. The State Government has again sent the file with the same names for approval and the Governor had summoned Advocate General before giving the nod.

Padmanabhaiah in his petition contended that all the four persons have had active political career and this serves as a disqualification to the candidature.

Moreover, when the decision was taken to send the file for the second time, leader of opposition N Chandrababu Naidu was not present in the meeting. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha and Leader of Opposition Chandrababu Naidu are the members of the committee that recommends the names.

Padmanabhaiah had earlier said that there was a precedence when the Tamil Nadu court has stayed the appointment as Leader of Opposition was not present when the decision of Information Commissioners was taken.