Former DGP of Rajasthan Mohan Lal Lather has been appointed as the chief information commissioner of Rajasthan. The state government has also appointed three information commissioners – Mahendra Parekh, Suresh Chand Gupta and Teekaram Sharma.
Lather was already serving as information commissioner since January 2023. Now he has been elevated to chief information commissioner. The post of chief information commissioner has been vacant since December 2023 after former IAS D B Gupta demitted the office.
The government, this time has appointed two former IAS officers and a retired officer from law service.
Mahendra Kumar Parakh, former IAS, promoted from state civil services, will take over as information commissioner. He had served as commissioner industries, settlement commissioner and special assistant to former home minister of Rajasthan Gulab Chand Kataria, who is now the Governor of Assam. Parakh is considered as an upright officer.
Suresh Chandra Gupta, former IAS officer, better known as man of all seasons as he has worked in important portfolios including finance in both Congress and BJP governments. A dynamic officer, Suresh Chandra Gupta is considered as clean officer with unblemished image. His presence in information commision will definitely bring more transparency in the system.
Teekaram Sharma, who served in the law department at various posts, has had experience of dealing with Right to Information (RTI). His expertise in dissemination of information sought through RTI will have positive impact on Information Commission.
The appointment of all three information commissioners has been done for three years. The age of retirement for Information Commissioner is three years or 65 years whichever is earlier.
The government has put its trust in retired officers for these posts. It has not appointed any journalist or personality from social sector on these posts. In past, government has given chance to journalists, social workers and legal luminaries on this post.
The BuckStopper, run by a group of seasoned journalists, holds the powerful accountable. The buck stops with them, as they cannot shrug off their official responsibilities.
