Former director of Loktak Development Authority, Thounaojam Ibobi Singh who has been accused in the multi crores Loktak Phumdi cleaning scam was administered oath of office as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) by the Governor Dr. KK Paul today morning.
The post of CIC remains vacant for nearly four years after the completion of the term of the former CIC RK Angousana. The State Information Commission (SIC) was survived for name shake only with only one State Information officer Ch Biren. The SIC almost defunct after the retirement of Ch. Biren in 2012.
The oath taking ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Speaker Th. Lokeshwar, other Ministers, MLAs, and other top officials of the state government.
Speaking to local TV Channel soon after the oath taking ceremony at Raj Bhavan, Thounaojam Ibobi said that he will assure right to information to all the citizens of the state.
The appointment of Thounaojam Ibobi (retd. IFS) as the CIC of the State Information Commission draws severe criticism from several RTI activists of the state.
Speaking to Imphal Times, RTI activist K. Seityajit said that the state government has no intention to revive the defunct SIC and appointment of the CIC alone is not the right indication. He said that there is a Supreme Court ruling which said that hearing cannot be done without the presence of at least two members. He said the government is trying to fool the people by appointing only the CIC post while others were left vacant. Seityajit further added that CIC are meant to be appointed from among the Retd. Judges and not bureaucrats.
He added that Thounaojam Ibobi is also the person who once holds the post of Director of Loktak Development Authority and was involved in the multi crore Loktak Phumdis cleaning scam.
“How can a person who is involved in the looting of public money be appointed as the Chief of the office meant for cleaning corruption?” Seityajit said.
Another RTI Activists, W. Joykumar, who is also the president of Human Rights Initiative, said that appointment of Thounaojam Ibobi is ultra virus to the law of the land.
“There was no notification, no publicity to take public opinions regarding the appointment of the top post,” Joykumar said. He further said that the person picked up by the state government is involved in Loktak scam and investigation has been sought against him.