Agartala: The post of State Information Commissioner (SIC) in Tripura has been vacant for the last two years. Sources said hundreds of RTI applications related to some critical issues are pending for disposal in the absence of the SIC.
Former Director General of Police, AK Shukla, who previously held the position, resigned amidst controversy surrounding the benefits he received while in office. Since Shukla’s departure, the state government couldn’t fill up the position.
RTI activists alleged the government’s delay in appointing the SIC showed a lack of political will. According to norms, RTI activists have the authority to move the SIC if their rights as per the Right to Information Act 2005 are violated.
In simple words, if any department refuses to disclose information, people can move to the appellate body and the state information commission serves as the apex appellate body at the state level which is now headless in Tripura.
Efforts to appoint a successor of the ex-DGP of Tripura have been hampered by setbacks. Name Alind Rastogi, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of Tripura, was initially considered for the role. Even he was ready to assume the charge.
However, his appointment fell through when he declined the offer citing personal reasons, including the illness of his mother. According to procedural norms, the state government must issue a fresh notification for the appointment.
Given the Model Code Conduct currently in force, the government can’t issue the appointment notification. An official familiar with the situation revealed that approximately 150 RTI applications are pending disposal, necessitating the intervention of the State Election Commissioner.
Once a new information commissioner is appointed, special hearings can be conducted to address the pending cases.
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