HC stay on information panel directive

[karira]

As reported in telegraphindia.com on 31 July 2008:
The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Jharkhand | HC stay on information panel directive

HC stay on information panel directive

Ranchi, July 30: Jharkhand High Court clamped a stay on the order of the State Information Commission (SIC) to the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) to furnish information to an applicant regarding the selection process of lecturers.

Anjani Kumar Choudhary, who had applied for the post of lecturer and had appeared for the interview and other selection tests, sought information about the selection process of university lecturers under the Right to Information Act after he was not selected.

SIC summoned the JPSC and its public information officer to explain why the information was not supplied to the applicant.

The JPSC informed the commission that such data was classified and cannot be supplied to the applicant.

When the JPSC public information officer failed to provide an explanation, the commission pronounced him guilty of not providing information and showcaused him.

The commission also asked why a penalty should not be imposed on him for dereliction of duty.

The JPSC, in its argument, said as the matter was already pending before the high court, the commission could not pass a verdict against the JPSC official.

The court, issuing notices to Choudhary, directed the state government and the commission to file counter affidavits in the matter.