Leena Mehendale has publicly lied to the people of Goa minutes after having been sworn in as Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner.
After her swearing in ceremony earlier this week Leena Mehendale made a false statement that the Supreme Court had clarified that the State Information Commission could be a single member body. It’s an open challenge to Leena Mehendale to make public that Supreme Court order or so called clarification. Section 15(2) the Right to Information Act clearly requires that the State Information Commission should be a multi member body consisting of one State Chief Information Commissioner and at least one State Information Commissioner with the various High Courts in their judgments having upheld this. As the Goa State Information Commission has not been properly constituted in accordance with law, all the decisions taken by Chief Information Commissioner Leena Mehendale would be null and void. It is also deplorable that Leena Mehendale did object outrightly to that circular issued by the Goa Government requiring an affidavit to be filed on citizenship. It is only a clear indication that she has been appointed to be a puppet Chief Information Commissioner of this Government. The people of Goa will now have to sit in judgment on the high-handed and questionable appointment of Leena Mehendale as Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner (CIC). Challenging her appointment before the Supreme Court would not be in public interest as the state exchequer would be further burdened by Rs 75,000 per hearing which would conveniently be pocketed by the Advocate General. The Goa government is on one side blowing the trumpet of Special Status for Goa and it is despicable that on the other hand another migrant from Maharashtra has been imported to ensure that a pliable CIC is in place. One way to demonstrate that Goa does deserve special status would have been by showing that Goans are capable enough to take up responsibilities in Administration, Governance, and Management. Why did this government have to appoint an outsider when Goa had abundant persons having the eminence and capability of being the CIC? When every other State has only appointed locals to the post, why has the Goa Government been unable to find a Goan to occupy the coveted post of CIC? As Leena Mehendale has been very closely connected with the controversial Ramnathi based Sanatan Sanstha, could such a person be trusted with such a high position. Is this the reason why the required Intelligence Bureau and Vigilance checks were not carried out before appointing Leena Mehendale? Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372