Times
of India: New Delhi: Friday, 11 December
2015.
The
Central Information Commission directed the Centre to reveal names of
applicants for the Lokpal's posts to ensure transparent process.
Disagreeing
with the department of personnel and training (DoPT), information commissioner
Sudhir Bhargava said disclosing the names would not be an unwarranted invasion
of privacy of the candidates as RTI activist Subhash Agrawal was only seeking
names of people who have applied for the posts and it will enhance transparency
and accountability.
Rejecting
Agrawal's plea, DoPT had refused to make public names of people applying for
the anti-corruption watchdog, Lokpal.
"The
Commission observes that the appellant is not seeking personal details of a
third party. Rather, he is seeking names of those who had applied for the post
of chairman and members of Lokpal in response to DoPT's advertisement,"
the commissioner said.
Bhargava
said disclosing the list of names of persons who had applied for appointment as
chairperson of the Lokpal and members would enhance transparency and public
confidence in the selection process.
"It
is only when the names of the candidates for such sensitive post are disclosed
that the public can bring up various facts, which may or may not have been
disclosed by the candidates, to the notice of the Selection Committee. This
would enhance public confidence in the selection process. Moreover, it is
desirable that the entire selection process should be transparent," he
said.
The
Lokpal Act, 2013 provides for establishment of an anti-graft watchdog, Lokpal,
for the Union and Lokayuktas for states to inquire into corruption complaints
against public servants.
The
Lokpal selection committee headed by the Prime Minister has as its members the
Lok Sabha Speaker, leader of the opposition in the Lower House, the Chief
Justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him, and an eminent
jurist who could be nominated by the President or any other member.
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