The Hindu : New Delhi News : Wait for the next CIC continues

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Wait for the next CIC continues

Anita Joshua and Vidya Subrahmaniam

Over hour-long critical meeting remains inconclusive

Discussions to resume after Dr. Singh returns from abroad
Advani had some reservations over the names

New Delhi: A crucial meeting to decide a successor to Wajahat Habibullah, who resigned recently as head of the Central Information Commission, remained inconclusive on Friday, suggesting stumbling blocks in the appointment to the topmost Right to Information job.

Held against the backdrop of hectic lobbying and counter-lobbying by RTI activists, the over hour-long meeting had attracted wide attention. In the event, the three-member committee, comprising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani and Human Resource Development Minister Veerappa Moily, could not arrive at a common decision.

Informed sources said discussions would resume after Dr. Singh returned from his upcoming visit to the United States and Trinidad. The indication so far is that Mr. Advani had some reservations over the shortlisted names. However, official channels denied that Mr. Advani had presented a dissenting note, as suggested by RTI activists.

Controversy has dogged the appointment of the CIC with RTI activists, themselves a divided lot, demanding transparency in the selection process. Earlier this month, Kiran Bedi’s name came into circulation following a vigorous public campaign mounted by such prominent names as social activist Anna Hazare, actor Aamir Khan and Magsaysay award winner Arvind Kejriwal. Along with many others, the three wrote to the Prime Minister and to the Congress president Sonia Gandhi, arguing that Ms. Bedi had the best credentials for the job. “If you are appointing any other person, please let us know how that person is more suitable than Kiran Bedi,” the letter said.

Since then, several names have been floated by opposing groups of RTI activists, resulting in growing rumour-mongering and speculation. Indeed, the day began on a stormy note with a flood of e-mails from RTI activists who alleged that the government had unilaterally decided on M.M. Ansari, the seniormost Information Commissioner after Mr. Habibullah.

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