Morung Express News
October 16
DIMAPUR: The Nagaland government appears to be completely in the dark with regard to the effective implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act which had come into force on October 12 across the country. To the utter dismay of this news-daily two senior officials managing the affairs of the State were completely unaware on the setting up of the State Information Commission (SIC) which has to be constituted with immediate effect as required under the RTI Act.
The Government has yet to constitute the State Information Commission (SIC). Under the RTI Act, the State government has to appoint a State Chief Information Commissioner and other State Information Commissioners but not exceeding 10 in number.
A three member Appointments Committee consisting of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Leader of Opposition I Imkong and another Cabinet Minister have yet to meet according to reliable sources.
Speaking to The Morung Express Leader of the Opposition I Imkong expressed ignorance of any such Appointment Committee and informed that he had not being intimated as yet regarding the setting up of the State Information Commission.
Earlier a notification was issued by State Governor Shymal Datta to set up a five member task force on the Information Act with Additional Chief Secretary, Lalthara, as the Chairman of the Committee. When contacted, Lalthara had to say that a sitting between members of the committee was yet to be convened.
It may be mentioned that the Union Government has already constituted the Central Information Commission (CIC) to be headed by retired IAS officer Wajahat Habibullah which also includes A N Tiwari, O P Kejarewal, N N Ansari and Padma Balasubramaniam as Information Commissioners.
While the State government appears to be dilly dallying in properly implementing the RTI Act, sources in Kohima maintained that the State Information Commission is likely to be constituted by October 31. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will head the 3 member Appointments Committee. Word has it that a retired official could be appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner for the State.
Meanwhile, those campaigning for the implementation of the Act want public figures such as persons from the media or other civil societies to constitute the State Information Commission.
According to the RTI Act the State Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioners would have to be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance. No Member of Parliament or MLAs can be appointed as State CIC or State IC during their term of service. They would have to give up that post upon appointment to the Commission. Further, the State CIC shall hold office for a term of 5 years or till he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
As for salary and allowances payable and other terms and conditions of service of the State CIC it will be the same as that of an Election Commissioner while for the State IC it shall be as that of the State Chief Secretary.
Rights of an information seeker:
• Right to inspect works, documents, records
• Right to take notes, extracts or certified copies
• Right to take samples
• Right to obtain information in electronic form
• Right to information whose disclosure is in public interest
