RTI activists demand transparency in appointment of info chief

Right to Information (RTI) activists want more transparency and public accountability while appointing information commissioners.

Right to Information (RTI) activists want more transparency and public accountability while appointing information commissioners.

HT Image

As 26 information commissioners will complete their tenure on October 11, RTI activists want the Centre to publish advertisements in newspapers seeking applications.

That way anyone from the public, who fits the bill, can apply for the post, they added.

“These appointments should be made in such a way that prominent persons from the public sphere can be elevated to these posts,” said RTI activist Sunil Ahya.

In fact, RTI activist Krishnaraj Rao said he would undertake a fast-unto-death on October 2 if the advertisements calling for applications were not issued.

“Currently, the government appoints information commissioners according to its own whims and fancies. As the chief information commissioner is accountable to the public… the appointment process has to be transparent,” Rao said.

The appointment process, which is spearheaded by a selection committee headed by the prime minister, has come in for a lot of flak from activists across the country.

“The improper appointment process leads to people with vested interests and loyalties being nominated to the post,” said activist G.R. Vora.

“As a result, instead of promoting the Act, these commissioners endanger the lives of activists to protect their vested interests,” Vora added.