Free
Press Journal: Bhopal: Tuesday, September 25, 2018.
A
meeting called to take decision on appointment of state information
commissioners has been postponed, once again.
Expressing concern over the government’s delaying tactics, an RTI
activist has written to State Governor seeking immediate appointment of
information commissioners on the guidelines set by apex court. In its order
Supreme Court had said that a search committee should be constituted for
shortlisting eligible candidates for the posts of information commissioner.
However, the state government has yet not complied with the court’s order of
constituting a search committee.
Asking
the state government to abide by the apex court’s order, the Leader of
Opposition, Ajay Singh in a letter had demanded appointment of information
commissioners at the earliest. Citing the apex court’s ruling, the Congress
leader had asked the government to follow the transparent procedure as set by
the court. Supreme Court in its order
had directed the Central government to constitute a search committee and had
also provided for the composition of the committee. The search committee was to
have cabinet secretary, additional principal secretary to PM, secretary
personnel, secretary (I&B), secretary (expenditure) and an outside member.
Government
in its reply to LoP, dated September 10, claimed that no provisions of forming
such committee exist in RTI Act 2005 or the rules related to it formed in
Madhya Pradesh. RTI activist, Ajay Dubey
has written to Governor Anandiben Patel seeking appointment of information
commissioners. The activists urged the Governor to ensure that government
follows the due transparent procedure as set by the Supreme Court. Dubey, in his letter to the Governor, also
attached the Supreme Court’s order as well as the state government’s reply to
the Leader of Opposition. The state government too should form a search
committee on the same lines to avoid any controversy and make the process of
appointment transparent,” said Dubey.
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