Kohima, July 13 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has demanded that the State Government lay down rules and criteria for induction of State Information Commissioners in Nagaland.
The NVCO in press release questioned the need to induct another State Information Commissioner claiming that the State Information Commission was not even functioning in the aftermath of the burning down of the Nagaland Information Commission office building on the night of February 2 during the protest against ULB election.
The Commission consisted of State Chief Information Commissioner (retired state chief secretary) and a State Information Commissioner (retired chief engineer PHE) prior to the burning down of the Nagaland Information Commission office.
However, another State Information Commissioner was recently inducted.
Taking exception to the new appointment, the NVCO while claiming that the Commission has not been functioning since February 2 maintained, “It is a matter of great concern as it amounts to unnecessarily extracting the state exchequer.”
Further highlighting a study undertaken by the organisation, the NVCO pointed out that the composition of Information Commissions across the country has a bias towards retired government servants and in this regard called for having a more balanced composition so that diverse expertise is represented in the Commission.
Towards this end, the NVCO recommended that the process of short-listing candidates for appointments to Information Commissions be participatory and transparent, allowing public consultation and debate before a short-list is finally sent to the selection committee.
Calls for CBI probe into Pillai case
Joining the growing chorus for a CBI probe into the MKR Pillai case, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has voiced that the people of Nagaland must not opt for any other mechanism.
Alleging that several of our own top leaders including politicians, bureaucrats, and police officers are involved, the NVCO maintained that the citizens of Nagaland cannot afford to avoid or bury the scam. The NVCO further asked the State Government not to appoint any consultant, “especially non-locals”.
