Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The process adopted by the state government for appointing Information Commissioners in Jharkhand has come under scrutiny for allegedly violating guidelines set by the Supreme Court of India. Complaints have been submitted to the Governor’s Secretariat, which is now examining the issue from a legal standpoint.
Alleged Violation of Transparency Norms
According to the complaints, the appointment process did not follow the procedure laid down in key Supreme Court rulings, including the Anjali Bhardwaj and Namit Sharma cases. These rulings mandate that after shortlisting candidates, the government must publish the list publicly, detailing the number of applicants and the criteria used for selection.
However, it is alleged that the state government skipped this transparency step and directly forwarded a list of five names to the Governor after consultations with the Leader of Opposition, without making the shortlist public.
Objections Over Political Affiliations of Candidates
The complaints also raise serious concerns about three recommended candidates, claiming that their selection violates provisions of the Right to Information Act. Under Section 15(6) of the law, individuals with political affiliations are not eligible for appointment as Information Commissioners.
Despite this, it is alleged that candidates linked to major political parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and Indian National Congress were recommended. The Governor’s office is currently reviewing these objections before taking any further decision.
