The Kerala High Court today directed the state government to produce records pertaining to proposed appointment of former DGP Vinson M Paul as Chief Information Commissioner.
The court passed the order on a petition challenging recommendations made by the committee for appointment of Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners on the ground that no proecedure was followed by the panel.
Justice Mohammed Mustaq directed the government to produce the file leading to recommendations of the committee under Section 15(3) of RTI Act of Kerala.
Petitioner S Somanathan Pillai alleged that the committee followed no procedure and recommended personnel without assessing the merit of candidates and on political considerations and whims and fancies.
The selection panel, comprising Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Industry Minister P K Kunhalikutty and opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, had met last week to shortlist the CIC and five Information Commissioners. The name of Paul was recommended to the Governor with dissent from Achuthanandan.
( Source – PTI )
