Information Commissioners appointed despite raging controversy

DONA PAULA: The Goa Government has gone ahead with appointment of the Chief State Information Commissioner and State Information Commissioner despite the raging controversy.

Arvind Kumar Nair was sworn in as Chief State Information Commissioner. Atmaram Barve who was Officer on Special Duty to chief minister Pramod Sawant, has been sworn in as State Information Commissioner.

Adv Cleofato Coutinho expressed the fear that both appointees may be used to suppressing rather than sharing information. The appointment of Atmaram Barve, who was OSD to CM had been openly criticised since, Party President Sadanand Tanavade has openly praised his as a karyakarta.

Media had pointed out that the Central tate Information Act forbids the appointment of political party members to the post. Adv Cleofato Coutinho said that even Nair should not have been appointed as Chief State Information Commissioner since he comes from a cadre that is used to Official Secrets Act and not in the habit of giving information, but rather suppressing information.