225 applicants for 2 posts at CIC

About 225 people have applied for two positions of Information Commissioners at Central Information Commission.
While M A Khan Yusufi's term has already ended, Basant Seth will be completing his tenure as Information Commissioner on February 16.
Responding to an RTI application, the Ministry of Personnel has, however, refused to disclose for now details of applicants for the positions citing exemption clauses which allow withholding records of deliberations of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other officers and which relate to personal information.
On the question of seeking inspection of files related to the appointments, the Ministry said as of now the file is under submission and after decision is taken it will be uploaded on the web site of the Ministry.

Applicant Commodore (Retd) Lokes Batra said since appointment of two Information Commissioners was not announced even after four months of advertising the posts on September 2, 2016, he decided to file the RTI.
Claiming that in the past similar queries have always been answered, he said he will appeal against the decision.
"None of the information requested falls in the category of exemption clauses making a mockery of transparency," he claimed.
"In the past, similar queries have always been responded to," he said, questioning the decision of CPIO, DoPT not to allow file inspection.