Selection panel asked to follow SC directions

SHIMLA: A day after the last date of filing application for the post of state chief information commissioner, state information commission (SIC) has passed a judgement on Thursday, ‘advising’ selection committee to conduct the process in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions.

While ruling on the appeal filed by RTI activist Debasheesh Bhattacharya, state information commissioner KD Batish has cited the Supreme Court’s direction regarding the selection of CIC and information commissioner. The judgement focused broadly on the SC directives.

The applicant had sought information regarding the selection process, which the commission directed administrative reform department to divulge within 15 days of the completion of selection process.

Citing direction given in the case - Namit Sharma Vs Union of India - the judgement read, “It is clear from the above said directions that one of the commissioners must be a person of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law.”

The state information commission also quoted the judgement where apex court had elaborated the meaning of “Person with eminence”.

The SIC quoted para 99 of the same judgement, “Persons of eminence in public life is also an expression of wide implication and ramifications. It takes in its ambit all requisites of a good citizen with values and having a public image of contribution to the society.” The state information commission directed that this judgement should be brought to the notice of department of selection committee so that selection is made in accordance with the mandate of the SC.

The post of state CIC in Himachal is vacant since March 24, 2016. Earlier this month, the department re-advertised the post and now, the total applicants for the post of state CIC has reached 191.