Activists demand removal of SIC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 14 2011:
Hurling serious allegations of incompetency against Ch Birendra as a State Information Commissioner (SIC), five social activists have demanded for immediate sacking of the retired IAS officer from his post.
Speaking to reporters in a press conference held at Manipur Press Club, rights activists Advocate M Rakesh, Advocate Th Sanjit, W Joykumar, A Keshorjit and N Rabi were vocal quite against Ch Birendra for being unable to take up prompt and early actions regarding the applications filed before him through Right to Information (RTI) .
The rights activists said, Ch Birendra could furnish information to only four minor cases out of 40 cases dealt by him in 2010 .
Saying that many cases are gathering dust in the dark rooms of his office, the rights activists expressed apprehension that RTI would not serve any purpose if Ch Birendra continues as an SIC at Manipur Information Commission.
Regarding the matter, they added, Advocate Th Sanjit submitted a memorandum to Governor Gurbachan Jagat on February 2 this year and a reminder of the same memorandum on April 28 last, the rights activists said .
' Informing that a copy of the memorandum had also been despatched to RTI National activist Aruna Roy, they said that she had assured them to intimate the matter to the Government.
They added that applications seeking information on MGEL of Education (S), procurement of furniture items in Education (S) and annulling of registrations of youth clubs have been undermined by the SIC.
As the SIC is delaying in providing information, nobody wants to petition before him now, they added.
Saying that Ch Birendra is incompetent with his post, the rights activists urged the Governor to remove him from the post.
Ch Birendra was appointed to the post of State Information Commissioner in 2004 .