Maharashtra govt on Tuesday issued the recruitment notice for the vacant state information commissioners’ posts
The activists questioned the requirement of 15 years’ experience, the Rs1,000 application fee and the preference for candidates with senior-level experience in govt, semi-govt and autonomous institutions, public sectors, reputable private organisations and social or charitable institutions. RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar said the Right to Information Act, 2005, does not prescribe 15 years’ experience for appointment as a state information commissioner. Candidates must be graduates, aged between 45 and 63 years, and have at least 15 years’ experience in one or more of the specified fields. Applications have to be submitted by Nov 5 with the Rs1,000 fee.
He said the Information Commission should have independent voices, including RTI practitioners, journalists, social activists and legal experts. It is an independent institution meant to protect citizens’ right to information,” Kumbhar said. Former central information commissioner and RTI activist Shailesh Gandhi had said commissioners should understand the RTI Act and the posts should not become “retirement postings”. There should be a pre-selection committee that scrutinises and interviews the candidates, and the entire process should be conducted in the public eye,” he said. Making candidates spell out their approach to clearing the backlog will bring greater accountability to the appointment process and ensure that the commissions function more effectively,” Gandhi said.
Pune: RTI activists questioned the eligibility criteria to fill up the four vacant state information commissioners’ posts and expressed doubt if these were broad enough to ensure a genuinely wider pool of candidates. “Are these criteria genuinely intended to select the best candidates for the posts or will they once again give preference to senior officials from the bureaucracy? Kumbhar asked. “It is not a rehabilitation centre for bureaucrats after retirement. Maharashtra State Information Commission has eight commissioners’ posts, but vacancies have resulted in the existing commissioners handling additional divisions. Currently, a commissioner is handling both Konkan and Nashik divisions, while another is handling Pune and Aurangabad divisions. The recruitment notice invites applications from people with expertise in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media, administration and governance. “Transparency must be the cornerstone of any appointment to the information commissions. it does not, by itself, ensure a transparent selection process While opening up these posts to non-bureaucrats is an important and welcome step. “The candidates should be asked about their understanding of the RTI Act, their commitment to transparency and, importantly, how they propose to address the mounting pendency of appeals and complaints.
The issue of widening the pool of candidates for the information commissioners’ posts was raised earlier too. State govt on Tuesday invited applications from non-bureaucratic professionals for the positions. General administration department issued the recruitment notice on Tuesday for the four vacancies.
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