There are alarming sign of increase in Bureaucracy, Red tapism and Corruption in Punjab, India. This state of punjab is presently ruled by a regional party known as Shromini Akali Dal (SAD) . This govt has failed to bring transpancy and stop corrupt practices, Rather this govt. is acting like a dictator
Here are sign of growing Red tapism, Bureaucracy and Corruption
Illegal and totally unfair Appointment of *bureaucrat* as Punjab CIC
Chandigarh,
It seems like state govt. want to control the autonomy of State Information Commissions. Earlier for months The State Information Commission is kept without any Chief Information Commissioner since the departure of previous commissioner Mr. Rajan Kashyap, It is clear that govt. was waiting for the due retirement of Mr RamishInder Singh( from the post of cheif secratary punjab) to offer him this plum post.
This commission is set for people under RTI act 2005. The ruling govt. is not listening to the views and needs of ordinary people of punjab, Despite the Various citizen groups, civil society organisations and activists opposed this bureaucrat’s appointment as head of SIC, but govt did not even bother to listen rather this govt. like a dictator simply go ahead with it.Various citizen groups, civil society organisations and activists joined hands to oppose the appointment of another bureaucrat as the Chief Information Commissioner of Punjab. During a press interaction at the Chandigarh Press Club yesterday, they called it a violation of the spirit of the RTI Act and the Constitution of India. The activists vowed to fight tooth-and-nail against such brazen action by the Punjab government.
Current Punjab Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh who is due to retire in September 2009 would be taking over as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC).
Terming this as illegal, Hemant Goswami of Citizens’ Voice mentioned that under the provisions of the RTI Act, the appointment of a commissioner could be done only if a committee was formed in which all members deliberated on the applications received by the government. He mentioned that according to the RTI Act, the person to be appointed should be an eminent personality with wide experience and knowledge of law, science, social service, management, etc. “However, in Punjab, we have about six information commissioners from government service, there is none from law or other related fields,” he said.
Advocate HC Arora mentioned that the other bureaucrats working in the commission were also not performing their job satisfactorily. Most of the bureaucrats attended the official work for only about 20-30 hours in a month and still claimed lakhs of rupees as travelling and sundry benefits. “Except for Gen PK Grover, none of the information commissioners appear to be serious in the discharge of their duties,” Arora added.
Earlier, social activists and organisations sent a joint representation to the Punjab Governor and the CM against appointment of another bureaucrat in the commission. The activists specially mentioned the alleged callous functioning of PK Verma and Rupan Deol Bajaj and pointed many infirmities in their orders.
