Goa: Mehendale to be CIC, selection of two SICs cancelled

Goa government today revoked the controversial selection of two persons for State Information Commissioner's posts, while finalising the appointment of Leena Mehendale as Chief Information Commissioner.
The decision was taken by the state cabinet here. The selection had been done by a cabinet sub-committee led by the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Parrikar said that cabinet, while cancelling the selection of two SICs, finalised the appointment of former IAS officer Leena Mehendale as Chief Information Commissioner.
Social activist Aires Rodrigues had challenged the selection of journalist Sandesh Prabhudesai as Information Commissioner before the High Court. The other person selected for SIC's post was Stanley Coutinho.

"In view of the issues that have arisen including the interpretation of various orders of Supreme Court on the subject, the process of appointment of SIC has been cancelled and would be re-advertised after proper examination of all issues including the orders of the apex court," Parrikar said, reading out the cabinet note.
"We are checking on the process of appointing SICs," the Chief Minister said, adding that cabinet had no objection to the persons selected by the sub-committee per se.