Times
of India: New Delhi: Tuesday, 07 October 2014.
In an
embarrassing disclosure the Central Information Commission has admitted that
records related to former chief information commissioner Wajahat Habibullah
were untraceable.
In an RTI
response, the commission said the lost files related to Habibullah's
resignation are not readily traceable, raising questions about record-keeping
in the CIC.
"The
concerned file containing the communication relating to then Chief Information
Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah regarding his resignation are not readily
traceable though efforts have been made. The information will be provided as
and when available," Sushil Kumar, deputy secretary at the CIC, said in
response to Lokesh Batra.
Habibullah
had resigned as CIC in October 2009 as he was keen to join as Chief Information
Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir. Habibullah had earlier told TOI that he was
advised by the law ministry to withdraw his resignation as without a CIC the
commission's orders will be open to challenge by the courts.
The file
notings related to appointment of new chief information commissioner show that
the panel had raised its concerns about not having any administrative head.
"In the
absence of the Chief Information Commissioner, the Commission will be left with
no administrative head having the required administrative and financial
powers," T Y Das CIC secretary, CIC, had written to the central
government.
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