Info Commissioner applications invited for 3rd time
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 07 May 2013 17:31 IST
As promises in the Assembly, Goa government has released an advertisement for the third time, inviting applications or recommendations for the posts of information commissioners.
Both the posts of Chief Information Commissioner and State Information Commissioner are lying vacant for over a year now.
25 May is the last day to send applications or recommendations for both the posts, after which the committee would shortlist the names for consideration.
The criteria laid down for both the posts is “a person of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance”.
The term of both the posts would be either five years or till the person turns 65, whichever comes earlier.
Both the earlier appointments had turned into a controversy.
The state government had selected eminent educationist and former chairman of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Pandurang Nadkarni.
However, RTI activist Aires Rodrigues made wild allegations against Nadkarni due to which the upright man simply quit. He had also pointed out that Nadkarni did not have knowledge of law.
The government then selected Pradeep Padwal as the State Information Commissioner but quit after Adv Rodrigues dug out a vigilance inquiry instituted against him and challenged his appointment in the high court.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court gave a ruling that the Chief Information Commissioner has to be a retired judge and Padwal could not take over.
Later, the apex court revised its ruling due to which the posts have now been advertised once again.
There was also public pressure mounting on the government and RTI activist Rajan Ghate had threatened to go on indefinite hunger strike.
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar had then assured in the just concluded Assembly session to fill both the posts within a month.
Though the process of appointment has begun, the government advertisement specifically states that it would be subject to final order of the Supreme Court.
