Summons have been made following an RTI application filed by an alumnus of the institute, Pravin Misra.
The National Institute of Design (NID) has been summoned by the Central Information Commission (CIC) in Delhi on May 21 for a hearing on the selection process for the appointment of its new director.
Summons have been made following an RTI application filed by an alumnus of the institute, Pravin Misra. A communication from the CIC to Misra has stated that a hearing will be held at its office in Delhi.
Talking about the reasons for filing an RTI application on the issue of selection process for a new director of NID (after the exit of former director Darlie O Koshy), Misra said, “The process of appointment of a new NID director was vague; the way the post was advertised to involvement of Koshy in the appointment process give rise to doubts.”
The NID faculty, who also handles RTI matters, Mihir Bholey said, “The matter is being discussed with the higher authorities of the institute. Since the matter is subjudice, it will not be proper on our part to make any comment. The honourable information commissioner will decide matters after listening to both the parties.”
Earlier, in November 2008 Misra had filed an RTI application with the institute, inquiring into the selection process of the new director as well as the officials involved. However, the institute had failed to give information that would have satisfied Misra.
The institute had simply replied that the screening committee and the search committee were involved in the process.
Misra had then taken the matter to the Central Information Commission.
Pointing to some steps of the selection procedure which he finds fishy, Misra said, “The applications for the post were to be sent to the director’s office. The nominees were sent emails from the director’s office, telling them to confirm their consent in a very short time. The mail was sent on Saturday and had to be replied to by Monday despite the fact that many people don’t work or check mails on Saturday and Sunday. This procedural flaw would reduce the number of applications and avoid including the best personalities for the post.”
Asked about the reason for his interest in the matter, Misra said, “Design plays a very important role in every sphere of life. It has become even more important with the emergence of a new rapidly changing world. The head of such an important institute of design like NID has a very important role to play in moulding the future of the country.
We should not take chances by turning a blind eye to such opaque practices in appointment of NID director.”
He said, “I am just fulfilling my part as an alumnus and as a responsible citizen to bring transparency in the institute. I am a well-wisher of the institute and don’t have any grudge against anybody.”
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