24 applications have been received for the post of information commissioner.
Clearly, the Information Officer's job is one of the most sought after jobs in the state as maximum number of applications received for the post have been made by the 'Babus'. As per information provided under Right To Information Act to dna, 24 applications have been received for the post of information commissioner out of which over 20 applications have been submitted by former bureaucrats and other applicants include an advocate, journalists and a banker.
Some of the applicants even got recommendations from prominent leaders like leader of opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, former minister and then number two in government, Eknath Khadse and minister for medical education, water resources and command area development, Girish Mahajan among others.
The details were provided by the general administration department (GAD) that takes care of matters related to implementation of RTI and appointment of information commissioners.
There are three posts vacant and there is mounting pending appeals at the state information commission.
Out of the total number of application from the babus, five are from Indian Administrative Service (IAS), one from Indian Police Service (IPS) and three from Indian Forest Service (IFS). Rest are from state services or have headed a board in the past. Almost four of them applied while they were still on job. These included now retired additional chief secretary (GAD), PS Meena and former transport commissioner, Shyam Vardhane. Among others are officers from law and judiciary and animal welfare department.
A number of applicants even gave the preference for the bench they would like to head. Meena stated that he would consider voluntary retirement before his superannuation period ends if he is appointed as information commissioner for Nashik bench. Vardhane sought a recommendation from home department as per information provided and sought posting at either Nashik, Amravati or Aurangabad bench.
Former additional director general of police, Ramrao Wagh is the only person from IPS to have applied. He got a recommendation letter from MP, Dr. Subhash Bhamre. As per copies provided under RTI, eight people got recommendation letter, which includes journalist, banker and advocate besides the bureaucrats.
Prakash Mahajan, former IAS and secretary of Marahtwada Vikas Mahamandal, has a recommendation letter from minister Girish Mahajan who used to head water resources department. Girish Mahajan in his letter to chief minister Fadnavis has written that since government appoints retired bureaucrats to some extent for the post of I C. He also stated that Prakash is known to him and keeping his work in mind he be appointed as information commissioner as a request.
Devendra Fadnavis along with leader of opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and a senior minister from the government form a three member panel that selects names and gives to Governor for appointment. Vikhe Patil has written a letter for Balasaheb Bothe Patil who is a journalist.
When dna contacted Vikhe Patil to ask him if it is not in conflict to recommend someone and then sit to choose among other applicants, he did not respond.
Khadse, who would have been part of the panel had he been in ministry made recommendation for Shridhar Salunkhe who was director of education. He said that Salunkhe has done very illustrative work in the field of education and should be considered.
Banker John Kharat has a letter from Dilip Gandhi, former minister of state for shipping while Shankarrao Dhavale, retired district judge has a letter from Shashikant Khedekar, MLA from Sindhkhedraja. The other journalist is Dilip Dharurkar has got a recommendation from MLA Atul Save of Aurgangabad and Vilas Bardekar, another applicant has a recommendation from MLC, Shobha Fadnavis.
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