Demands immediate appointment of CIC, SIC
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: National RTI awardee, Rajan Ghate, commenced an indefinite hunger strike from Tuesday, at Azad Maidan, under the banner of the Goa RTI Forum, demanding the immediate appointment of a chief information commissioner and state information commissioner.
Several RTI activists who are supporting Ghate in his fight for the demand, were present at the venue.
Both posts have been vacant for almost a year, as the government’s attempt to fill the posts failed on two occasions.
Pandurang Nadkarni and Dr Pradeep Padwal, withdrew following controversy that surrounded their qualifications and suitability for the post.
The government had assured to start the process of appointment for a third time during the April-May assembly session, after which Ghate withdrew his earlier decision to go an indefinite hunger strike.
The RTI activist said that despite an assurance in the House, the government has not fulfilled its promise.
Meanwhile, the Goa RTI Forum welcomed the agitation against delay in appointment of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and State Information Commissioner (SIC).
In a press release, it said that the government had promised on April 23, 2013 to appoint CIC and SIC within one month.
“By May 25, 2013 the government received many applications for both posts but there is no sign of any appointments to the posts,” said its release. The Goa RTI Forum had protested against what it called delay tactics by way of a dharna on Goa Revolution Day June 18, 2013. It pointed out that it also asked for an appointment with the Chief Minister in this regard since July 1 but in vain.
The Goa RTI Forum has also given a memorandum in this regard to Governor on July 6, 2013.
Shrikant Vinayak Barve, Secretary, Goa RTI Forum said that it fully backs the national RTI activist Rajan Ghate who is on an indefinite strike from Tuesday.
The RTI activist said that despite an assurance in the House, the government has not fulfilled its promise
