TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar categorically stated that “government has set no specific deadline for appointing Chief Information Commissioner and State Information Commissioner”.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Parrikar said that government is in the process of appointing CIC and SIC and accordingly a committee consisting of Chief Secretary and Information Secretary are in the process of shortlisting they would recommend names to the government.
Chief Minister said the posts were advertised and accordingly 21 applications were received for CIC and 29 applications for SIC.
“The committee would be scrutinizing the applications and will shortlist four to five names,” he said. “Why should I set a deadline for the appointment of information commissioner?” he questioned when asked by when the CIC would be appointed.
The applications for the post were invited for the third time, over the last one year with the last date of the submission of applications being 25 May 2013.
Government is facing heat from the Goa RTI Forum, who has been protesting against BJP-government’s failure in filling the two top posts.
Justifying government’s decision on making Indian Citizenship compulsory for obtaining information under RTI, Chief Minister said ‘the decision has been taken as per law’. “Law makes it clear that only Indian Citizens are eligible to seek information under RTI,” he added.
“I don’t understand the point behind raking such a huge issue on this topic. Looks like the RTI activists are scared to prove their citizenship. Why do they have to get scared? Is there anything to hide?” Parrikar questioned.
Parrikar said ‘it was brought to the notice of the government that several foreign nationals are using RTI information for their personal benefit, which is against law’.
