Chennai:
Till Tuesday, LK Sripathi was the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary accused of blocking many RTI queries. But less than a day after his retirement, came his new appointment shrouded in secrecy.
He was appointed the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the state. This led to protests outside the Raj Bhavan, even as the Governor was swearing in Sripathi.
Activists say the selection of the top bureaucrat seen as Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's Man Friday smacks of conflict of interest.
"The moment one is appointed, because he knows someone, then definitely when something comes regarding the person who appointed him definitely there will be bias," said V Madhav, an RTI activist.
"I don't want to respond to that because there is no truth in it," said L K Sripathi, Chief Information Commissioner, Tamil Nadu.
Days ago, Opposition leader Jayalalitha alleged she was not given details of the candidates being considered, even though she was on the selection panel.
The AIADMK says the government didn't even call for applications; the ruling DMK has refused to comment.
Clearly, the information commission is turning into a preserve of retired loyal bureaucrats. With 21 information commissioners due for retirement in the next few months, now it's up to the government to ensure these offices are not occupied by people with old mindset.
He was appointed the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the state. This led to protests outside the Raj Bhavan, even as the Governor was swearing in Sripathi.
Activists say the selection of the top bureaucrat seen as Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's Man Friday smacks of conflict of interest.
"The moment one is appointed, because he knows someone, then definitely when something comes regarding the person who appointed him definitely there will be bias," said V Madhav, an RTI activist.
"I don't want to respond to that because there is no truth in it," said L K Sripathi, Chief Information Commissioner, Tamil Nadu.
Days ago, Opposition leader Jayalalitha alleged she was not given details of the candidates being considered, even though she was on the selection panel.
The AIADMK says the government didn't even call for applications; the ruling DMK has refused to comment.
Clearly, the information commission is turning into a preserve of retired loyal bureaucrats. With 21 information commissioners due for retirement in the next few months, now it's up to the government to ensure these offices are not occupied by people with old mindset.
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