The appointment of three Information Commissioners (ICs) in the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission on March 1 this year was a unilateral decision of the then Chief Minister and the Finance Minister, the State Government has submitted before the Madras High Court.
In his counter to a petition filed by S. Vijayalakshmi, an advocate, challenging the appointment of P.A. Ramaiah, C. Manoharan and A. Arumuga Nainar as ICs, Secretary, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, M. Kutralingam, said that it was decided on February 21 this year to convene a meeting on March 1 to fill the three posts.
It was communicated to the then Leader of the Opposition, Jayalalithaa. She wrote on February 28 stating that since the Election Commission was on the verge of issuing the notification for elections in Tamil Nadu and a case relating to the Chief Vigilance Commissioner was pending before the Supreme Court and judgment was expected shortly in which the court may issue guidelines regarding appointment to high and sensitive posts, the meeting should be adjourned to a date after the elections.
The meeting was held on March 1 and the same day, orders approving the appointment of the three ICs were issued.
Till date they have not assumed office.
