Mehendale takes over as CIC, pledges to strengthen RTI

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 24 October 2013 18:45 IST

Goa RTI Forum greets Leena Mehendale as new CIC

Leena Mehendale, Goa’s newly sworn in state chief information commissioner, plans to empower people with a tool of Right to Information while also working on its misuse.

Governor Bharat Vir Wanchoo administered oath of office to Mehendale at Raj Bhavan today morning.

Chief minister Manohar Parrikar was the sole minister present at the ceremony while MGP MLA Lavoo Mamledar was the sole MLA.

Parrikar, while talking to the media later, said two more state information commissioners would be appointed within two months, after cabinet approves the posts.

The earlier selection of two SICs was scrapped by the government as only one post was notified while the high-powered committee had decided to select two.

Though Mehendale’s selection was approved, it got caught up in rough weather as her selection was challenged in the high court.

She was sworn in today after the Bombay High Court at Panaji dismissed the petition, while upholding her appointment.

Mehendale said that RTI is still at developing stage and the Commission needs to train people for more participation of seeking information.

“The most important tool of RTI should be strengthened further to reach at peak its primary objectives”, said Mehendale.

The state government plans to shift its existing office from Shram Shakti Bhavan at Patto to the old GMC at Ribandar, which was later housing the Goa Institute of Management.

“While the new office gets ready, we will appoint two more SICs”, said the chief minister.

Meanwhile, the Goa RTI Forum has also welcomed the appointment of Mehendale.

A delegation of Goa RTI Forum, headed by chairman Dr Dattaram Desai, met her at the Patto office.


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After all the fanfare ,of the taking of Oath of Office by the CIC Leena Mahendale, there is no guarantee that she will remain very long in her Post and is more than likely to take the same route out (Personal Reasons) as Goa`s 1st Lokayukta Justce B. Sudarshan Reddy.

Thus far , most of the appointments made by Mr Parrikar and his cohorts, have endured failures or come against "road-blocks".

To protect his interests, and those of his BJP MLA`s & Party , Mr Parrikar expects his appointees' to go against the grain of their office. Most of the appointments are expected to toe the nepotistic line of the ruling Party instead of the Spirit or main purpose of their office.

The Current Advocate General, the best paid in India for a Small state like Goa , is sufficient proof. The AG`s performance at the Supreme Court in the Mining case has ben dismal & amateurish. He was castigated severely by the Supreme Court Judges.

I am sure Goans are waiting to see how long the CIC will now remain in office.

Is she likely to act Independently and in the interest of Goa`s Citizens who pay her hefty wages..? I would hardly like to think so.

For all intent & purpose, she is Mr Parrikar`s "blue-eyed girl" and will have to conform to his dictates.

- N.Fernandes, UK | 25 th October 2013 16:36

 

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