By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: After prolonged delay and criticism, the State Government has finally appointed the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the State. The CIC, CD Kynjing, a retired bureaucrat, was administered the oath of office by Governor RS Mooshahary on Thursday.
Speaking to media persons after the swearing-in ceremony, Kynjing said, “I will ensure that the matter of the applicants is disposed of without any delay. “
Kynjing, a 1984 batch IAS (Assam-Meghalaya cadre) officer, took voluntary retirement from the post of Principal Secretary (Home Affairs) in the State Government last week to facilitate his taking over as the new CIC.
The new CIC said no one can influence him while discharging his duties as he is no longer associated with the Government works.
“I would work as per the provisions of the Right to Information Act (RTI),” he asserted.
The CIC’s post had remained vacant since the retirement of GP Wahlang several months ago.
Kynjing was appointed on the basis of a recommendation by a panel comprising Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and Opposition leader Conrad K Sangma.
Various RTI activists had been demanding for the appointment of a new CIC to immediately dispose of the pending RTI applications.
Meanwhile, the new CIC has maintained that ostracisation of the 17 families by the Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong does not fall under the jurisdiction of the RTI.
“This case is a question of law and order and not within the jurisdiction of the RTI,” Kynjing added.
The Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong had ostracised 17 families of the village after the families had field an RTI against the local fair price shop dealer of the village recently.