Help govt re-evaluate norms for ICs selection, strengthen the RTI Act
The first meeting between social activist Anna Hazare’s representatives and the General Administration Department (GAD) of the state to frame rules for a transparent selection process of the State Information Commissioners (SICs) is likely to be held by the month-end.
Activist Arvind Kejriwal and Vinita Deshmukh have been appointed by Hazare to represent the activists lobby that will assist the state in reassessing the guidelines for selection process for the SICs.
Prahlad Kachare, the Director of the Centre of Public Policy at Yashada, has been asked by the state to hold the first meeting by October-end and will be attended by the Secretary, GAD and officials from Yashada.
In his reply to the Deputy Secretary, GAD (October 17), Hazare had requested the former to convene a meeting to discuss the RTI Act 2005 and prepare rules and regulations within the framework of this Act. In the letter, he had appointed Kejriwal and Deshmukh as his representatives in helping the state framing rules under the RTI Act. The duo will be heading to Ralegan Siddhi today, to meet Hazare, to prepare for the upcoming meeting.
Apart from framing rules for the selection of Information Commissioners, the committee will also be looking at strengthening the Act.
Not satisfied and want to petition?
Taking the movement against an ‘unfair’ selection process of the SICs a step ahead, activists from Mumbai are providing legal assistance to their counterparts in other states where the appointment of an SIC is due. If an activist has applied in her/his state for the post of SIC or SCIC she/he can file writ petitions if the selection of Information Commissioners is still made in an unfair manner. A copy of a writ petition has been made available online by activist Krishnaraj Rao. Applicants can download the format of the writ petition from http://www.box.net/shared/d1sznyavuq.