Govt cancels SIC selections for readvertising
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 14 August 2013 17:07 IST
Amidst controversy over the selection of state information commissioners, the Goa cabinet today suddenly scrapped selection of two information commissioners while clearing the chief information commissioner’s selection.
A high-powered committee had earlier selected Leena Mehendale as the chief information commissioner and Sandesh Prabhudesai and Stanley Coutinho as state information commissioners.
Before the selection could be referred to the Governor through the cabinet, a petition was filed before the Bombay High Court at Goa, challenging selection of two SICs while the post was advertised for only one vacancy.
“In view of issues that had arisen including interpretation of various orders of the Supreme Court on the subject, we have decided to cancel the process for appointment of SICs and readvertise the posts after proper examination of all issues including the orders of the Supreme Court”, chief minister Manohar Parrikar told the media.
Replying to a question, Parrikar defended selection of both the SICs, describing them as the best.
However, he said, there were also issues of interpretation of law and Supreme Court orders also need to be revisited as the Right to Information act pertains to transparency.
While the cabinet decided to scrap the SIC selections after consulting the Advocate General, Parrikar said the posts would be readvertised after law department studies the matter thoroughly.
Regarding Prabhudesai, the chief minister said: “I have political differences with Sandesh, but I believe he is the right person to hold the post.”
He also clarified that that the government decision had nothing to do with the selected persons, but the interpretation of Supreme Court orders.
The selection was made on 29 July by a committee consisting of chief minister Parrikar, opposition leader Pratapsing Rane and deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza.
This is the third time the selection of information commissioners is getting cancelled in last one year.
