The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that procedures were violated in the appointment of Repala Srinivasa Rao as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) in-charge.
In a letter to the special chief secretary of the state government and general administration department, BJP Andhra Pradesh state convener of RTI Vengamamba Srinivas alleged that Mr Rao’s appointment was made under sections 15(2), (3), (5) and (6) RTI Act and Supreme Court directions.
“There is no provision in the Act for appointment of an in-charge CIC as the existing Information Commissioner is required to vacate his post to be appointed as CIC as per section 16(2) of the Act. The present appointment of CIC in-charge is Andhra Pradesh. This was done by encroaching upon the powers of the state governor,” alleged Sri Srinivas.
The BJP leader appealed to the Special Chief Secretary to ensure appointment of CIC and IC for which notification has already been issued. He also demanded publication of all the above relevant information relating to the appointment of existing Information Commissioners and the selection of Commissioners on the official websites of the Government and the Information Commission.