The politically high-handed and manipulated selection of Sandesh Prabhudessai for the post of Goa’s State Information Commissioner (SIC) has to be strongly objected.
Sandesh Prabhudessai has himself not even applied for the post. The recommendation letter sent by Dr Oscar Rebello with the biodata is surprisingly silent on Sandesh Prabhudessai’s educational qualifications. The advertisement issued on 4th May being for the post of Chief Information Commissioner and only one State Information Commissioner. The government cannot now travel beyond in trying to high handedly appoint one extra SIC and that too with a vested interest. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in the last session of the Goa Legislative Assembly had called upon thick skinned people to apply for the post of SIC. Sandesh Prabhudessai’s illegal and malafied selection will not stand the test of law. Last week the Advocate General of Goa Atmaram Nadkarni had rightly argued in the High Court, that with any advertisement for one post, two appointments could not be made and that such an exercise was a fraud. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is unnecessarily seeking to appoint an extra State Information Commissioner to accommodate Sandesh Prabhudessai in a plumb post at the cost of the State exchequer. The Goa State Information Commission is currently officially notified as comprising on Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and one State Information Commissioner (SIC). A post for an extra State Information Commissioner has to be duly notified after following the due process of law. Information Commission of big states like Maharashtra and Karnataka have only four and five State Information commissioners respectively. The Goa State Information Commission can be ably managed with a CIC and one SIC, while the backlog of pending cases could be cleared in about three months. It is an irony that this government after having allowed the State Information Commission to be dysfunctional for over a year was now eagerly wanting to appoint one extra Information Commissioner. The salary and benefits of the State Information Commissioner are on par with the Chief Secretary. By appointing an additional Information Commissioner the government would unnecessary incur a huge financial burden for five years as the process to remove an Information Commissioner is very cumbersome. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372