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Headless CIC requires CIC to be appointed by seniority also to overcome peculiar situation created with amendment in RTI Act

Kashmir Times. Dated: 1/21/2020 12:54:45 AM

Dear Editor,
Central Information Commission again became headless on 11.01.2020 with retirement of outgoing Chief Information Commissioner Sudhir Bhargav. Process of selecting new incumbent has started just recently with last date of filing applications on 03.01.2020 that too only after intervention of Supreme Court. But it cannot be ensured that selection may be complete within time-frame fixed by the Supreme Court because of compulsion of central government and main opposition party settling down for the meeting. System may be formulated whereby normally senior-most Information Commissioner may be appointed as Chief Information Commissioner. Such a system will not only ensure the important post being always occupied, but will also auto-care for the peculiar situation developed due to recent amendment in RTI Act whereby service-rules for Information Commissioners are downgraded. No present Information Commissioner will like to take the post of Chief Information Commissioner under new rules because of downgraded service-rules including post-retirement benefits. Any new person other than present Information Commissioners then will lead Information Commissions with service-conditions inferior to those of present Information Commissioners thus leading to an uncomfortable and embarrassing position. Otherwise also, it is always better to appoint a person as Chief Information Commissioner who has already gained sufficient experience as Information Commissioner.
—Madhu Agrawal,
1775 Kucha Lattushah,
Delhi.