Appointment of Information Commissioners: Governor seeks explanation from government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has sought further explanation from the government on the appointment of Information Commissioners. The Governor sought an explanation regarding the appointment of three commissioners. The Governor took action after complaints were raised against three persons included in the list sent by the government.

The names of Dr. Sonnichan P. Joseph, M. Sreekumar and TK Ramakrishnan were on the list submitted to the Governor by the government. Among these, M Sreekumar and TK Ramakrishnan are from the teaching field, while Dr Sonnichan is from the media field. These names were recommended by a committee comprising the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Law Minister.

The Governor had received several complaints against those on the list. He also received a complaint that the government had included the names of M Sreekumar, Dr Sonnichan and TK Ramakrishnan in the list against the norms of the Supreme Court. The Governor received a complaint stating that these three persons were selected from a short list of 52 persons and that there was a violation of norms in this selection.

Meanwhile, the Governor has not rejected the list. He will decide on accepting the list after receiving an explanation from the government. He will take a decision on the approval of the list based on the government's explanation. The Governor had approved the recommendation to appoint former Law Secretary V Hari Nair as the Chief Information Commissioner the other day.