Appointment of Goa's Information Commissioner challenged

The activist, Aires Rodrigues, has said in his petition that the Commissioner who is required to discharge judicial and quasi-judicial functions should have vast knowledge and experience of law but Padwal did not have legal background.

"Despite other candidates possessing judicial and legal experience, a person, with no legal knowledge and experience of law whatsoever had been appointed to a judicial post as State Information Commissioner at the whims and fancies of the Government and without any consultation with the High Court," the petition said.

Besides, Rodrigues has also stated that a vigilance enquiry was pending against Padwal for doing a full time post graduate diploma in Occupational Health when he was working in a government department without obtaining permission or taking study leave.

Rodrigues, who is himself an advocate, has also stated in his petition that the Supreme Court which is considering the constitutional validity of Section 15(5) of the RTI Act had by an interim order on July 19, 2012 restrained any further appointment of Information Commissioners.

Pending the hearing and final disposal of the petition, Rodrigues has sought that Dr Padwal be restrained from functioning as the State Information Commissioner.

The hearing on the petition has been scheduled for August 23.