Guv approves names of information commissioners, but with rider

Ranchi: Jharkhand governor Santosh Gangwar on Wednesday approved the panel of four names for the post of information commissioners, ending a stand-off that had lasted months, but with a rider that the JMM govt would be responsible for any procedural errors arising in their appointments.In an official statement, Lok Bhavan said, “The Governor has granted approval for these appointments subject to certain conditions. He has directed the state govt to ensure the early appointment of a Chief Information Commissioner for the Jharkhand State Information Commission so that the Commission’s work can be conducted smoothly and effectively.”It went on to add, “The Governor also clarified that if any procedural error is found in the appointment process, or if any question arises regarding compliance with Supreme Court orders in this matter, the state govt will bear full responsibility.”The development comes after Lok Bhavan had earlier returned the file containing the same names in the wake of objections to a few of the candidates.The names cleared by Lok Bhavan include that of retired journalist and editor Anuj Kumar Sinha, Tanuj Khatri, Amulya Neeraj Khalkho and Shivpujan Pathak. Tanuj had once served as spokesperson of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), while Shivpujan had served as BJP media cell in-charge and Amulya is said to be from Congress.Of the four appointees, Anuj Kumar Sinha is a retired journalist, a profession specifically mentioned in the RTI Act as one from which Information Commissioners may be drawn.The posts of Information Commissioners had been vacant for nearly 5 years, leading to the piling up of thousands of cases related to Right to Information. The high court had on previous occasions pulled up the state govt for delay in reviving the state information commission by filling up pending posts.Sources in Lok Bhavan said that after the governor’s nod, the department of personnel, administrative reforms and rajbhasha will now notify the appointments. “Formal orders regarding the appointment will be issued once the departmental formalities are completed,” said an official in the state personnel department.