Governor P Sathasivam returns CIC list, cites impropriety

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor P. Sathasivam has sought clarifications from the state government on a series of complaints against those recommended for the posts of chief information commissioner and information commissioners.
While retired DGP Vinson M. Paul was recommended for the post, the names of Joy C. Chirayil, Eby Kuriakose, Angathil Jayakumar, Abdul Salam and P. R. Devadas were recommended for the posts of information commissioners.

According to sources, scores of petitions were received by the Governor raising objections against each person. Hence, he  sought queries from the state government on these objections. The entire file has been sent back to the selection committee for the purpose.

The selection committee comprised Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, industry minister P.K. Kunhalikutty and Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan. But Mr Achuth-anandan had expressed dissent about Vinson Paul.

SC guideline violated

A major objection in recommending information commissioners was that the selections were made flouting Supreme Court guidelines. It was also alleged that all those who were recommended as information commissioners were having political links. There were even allegations that one of the persons
was a relative of a member of  the selection committee.

It may be recalled that the High Court had earlier stayed the recommendation to appoint Mr Vinson M. Paul as the chief information commissioner. However, the stay was later vacated as a final decision on the selection was still pending.

The tenure of the present CIC Siby Mathews will end on April 23. Hence, a final decision on the new CIC is likely to be taken before that, sources said.