Has the appointment of MPPCB chief been transparent?
30 Dec, 2012On the basis of reply provided in response to an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, it has been alleged that the appointment of the Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) has been irregular.
The documents provided in the reply show that the MP government had floated an advertisement seeking applications for appointment to the post of the new chairperson of MPPCB. A total of 36 applications had been received out which 18 were found to be suitable for the post by a high level committee headed by the Chief Secretary of the state. Thereafter, the chief minister approved second term to the present chairperson of MPPCB, Dr. Narmada Shukla, following an official letter of recommendation to the CM for the same sent by the Environment and Water Resource Minister of the State, Jayant Mallaya. It has been reported that Dr. Shukla has already an enquiry pending against him with the Lokayukta in connection with his first appointment to the post.
The RTI applicant has alleged that the advertisement was not cancelled through a public notification which is a mandatory procedure.