THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversy over the appointment of former Vigilance director Vinson M Paul as the Chief Information Commissioner was a classic case of much ado about nothing. A couple of writ petitions were also filed in the High Court against the decision. As it turns out, there was no need for such concern, as Governor P Sathasivam has not issued any order appointment information commissioners.
What’s more, it also looks that the Governor’s office is completely in the dark about the list of commissioners the state government is supposed to have drawn up. To a slew of RTI queries related to the nature of the appointments, the Governor’s Office only said: “The copy of your application has been forwarded to the office of the chief secretary,” it said. The RTI queries were filed by National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI) member M T Thomas.
Earlier, in a letter to the Governor, the NCPRI wanted an explanation to be sought from the Government for the urgency in filling up of the vacancy of the Chief Information Commissioner and another Commissioner, which will arise only on April 23, 2016.
At the moment, the SIC is a one-member body, only the chief information commissioner, Mr Siby Mathews, remains. Another member, K Natarajan who is to retire along with the CIC on April, has been in suspension since November 9, 2012.
The NCPRI had objected to Mr Paul’s appointment on two grounds. One, except for the former vigilance director, the five other names recommended are political nominees. Two, they allege an unnecessary haste to appoint Vinson M Paul as CIC more than a month before the retirement of the incumbent Sibi Mathews.
