Herald Goa: Panjim: Tuesday,
17 September 2024.
To be sworn-in by Governor at Raj Bhavan today; activists flay govt for appointing CM’s OSD Barve at SIC; say democratic norms flouted
The State government finally
issued orders appointing former Goa Chief of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and ex
Chief Immigration Officer Aravind Kumar H Nair as the State Chief Information
Commissioner (SCIC) and Atmaram Barve as State Information Commissioner (SIC)
of Goa State Information Commission even as the RTI activists had strongly
objected to Barve’s selection since he was OSD to the Chief Minister and a
ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary.
To be sworn-in by Governor at Raj Bhavan today; activists flay govt for appointing CM’s OSD Barve at SIC; say democratic norms flouted
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| Ex Chief Immigration Officer Aravind Kumar H Nair |
The separate orders
appointing Nair and Barve were issued by Director of Information and Publicity
and Ex-Officio Additional Secretary to the government Dipak Bandekar, on
September 12. They will hold office for a term of three years or till they
attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
However, the RTI activists have slammed the State government for appointing Barve as SIC.
RTI activist and political analyst Trajano D’Mello said that the government had thrown all democratic norms to the winds. The arrogance of this government in all sector is there to be seen, and it is functioning with contempt to democratic norms.
Another RTI activist Swapnesh Sherlekar said, “Selecting and appointing Atmaram Barve as SIC is arrogance of the State government. When Barve’s name was discussed and considered, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should have recused himself from selection committee since Barve was his OSD. But Sawant went ahead and selected him which shows high-handedness. It is also a statement that I will do what I want, you people (Goans) are nobody to question me,” he said.
Goa RTI Forum president Digambar Naik said, “Barve belongs to a political party and therefore he should not have been appointed. Today government departments are not giving proper information sought under RTI Act. The officers are misguiding applicants and trying to negate the very purpose of the RTI Act.”
Meanwhile, both, Nair and Barve will be sworn-in by Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai at Old Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula at 5 pm on Tuesday, September 17.
However, the RTI activists have slammed the State government for appointing Barve as SIC.
RTI activist and political analyst Trajano D’Mello said that the government had thrown all democratic norms to the winds. The arrogance of this government in all sector is there to be seen, and it is functioning with contempt to democratic norms.
Another RTI activist Swapnesh Sherlekar said, “Selecting and appointing Atmaram Barve as SIC is arrogance of the State government. When Barve’s name was discussed and considered, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should have recused himself from selection committee since Barve was his OSD. But Sawant went ahead and selected him which shows high-handedness. It is also a statement that I will do what I want, you people (Goans) are nobody to question me,” he said.
Goa RTI Forum president Digambar Naik said, “Barve belongs to a political party and therefore he should not have been appointed. Today government departments are not giving proper information sought under RTI Act. The officers are misguiding applicants and trying to negate the very purpose of the RTI Act.”
Meanwhile, both, Nair and Barve will be sworn-in by Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai at Old Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula at 5 pm on Tuesday, September 17.
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