PANJIM: The Director of Information and Publicity on Monday moved a file to the government for its approval on the appointments of Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioners.
Sources, however, say that keeping in view past experience and to avoid any embarrassment, the government has decided to seek reports from the Intelligence Bureau on the three individuals selected.
The government on Saturday selected former additional president of the State Administrative Tribunal Prashant Tendulkar as Chief Information Commissioner. Senior Public Prosecutor Pratima Vernekar and social activist Juino D’Souza were selected as State Information Commissioners.
A committee under Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had received nearly 25 applications for the posts, including 22 applications for CIC. These were shortlisted in the second week of July and finalized last Saturday after a thorough scrutiny.
When contacted, Information Director Arvind Bugde admitted that the file has been moved to the government. “We have moved a file to the government and they will decide further,” he replied.
Asked whether an IB report of the three candidates has been sought, Bugde replied, “All procedures will be completed before finalizing the names.”
Sources said the government has sought IB report mainly as the candidates selected need to be of public eminence besides they should not have any political affiliations.
“Previously the State had a bad experience with the appointment of Pandurang Nadkarni as CIC, with the controversy regarding his educational qualifications. Hence the government wants to be doubly sure before making any appointments,” sources said.
Information Secretary Sudhir Mahajan, when contacted, stated he was in Delhi and has no knowledge of the issue. “I will be in a position to reply only when I come back,” he said.
