PANJIM: The government’s alleged move to grant six months extension to Goa State Chief Information Commissioner Leena Mehendale has been strongly opposed by the Goa RTI Forum. In a meeting held in the state capital on Saturday, the activists have demanded that a new CIC be appointed prior to Mehendale’s retirement on January 31, 2015.
In addition to this, the RTI Forum has also reiterated its long standing demand for appointment of the State Information Commissioners.
“We have been consistently demanding that the government fill up the two vacant posts of the SICs. However, despite repeated assurances given by the Goa government authorities, till date the two posts of SIC are lying vacant,” its general secretary said.
“The Goa RTI Forum has now learnt that the government is likely to extend the tenure of the present CIC apparently to keep the Goa State Information Commission operational. In our opinion, this situation has arisen due to government’s own failure to make timely appointment of SICs, one of whom would have taken over as CIC at end of the term of the incumbent of CIC or his/her retirement.”
