Only a Goan should be appointed as Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and State Information Commissioner( SIC). This would be a right step in keeping with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s mantra of Special status for Goa.
Certain vested interests in a tacit understanding with the Chief Minister are secretly lobbying behind the scene to get a Maharashtra retired officer Leena Mehendale appointed. Is Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar’s statement that one of the post could be reserved for a woman, an attempt to set the stage to usher in Leena Mehendale. The Right to Information Act does not provide for any reservation for the post of Information Commissioners based on sex, caste or creed. Only the best and the brightest should be appointed to these very vital positions. As provided under Section 15 (3) of the RTI Act, the Committee comprising of the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition and another Minister should themselves review all the applications received and select persons strictly on merit with no lobbying or fixing whatsoever. To ensure proper implementation of the Right to Information Act in the State, the State Information Commission should comprise of independent minded persons who will not succumb to the pressures and pulls of the politicians in power. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should not attempt to once again appoint his Yes-men as the CIC and SIC of Goa. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
