Tripura: Opposition leader opposes Govt’s decision to appoint Rao as CIC

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AGARTALA | Sept 08, 2019:

Opposition leader, Manik Sarkar has said that the decision of state government to appoint former state election commissioner (SEC) G K Rao as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) will send a "wrong" message among people of Tripura.

Speaking with media persons, Sarkar claimed that G K Rao was unable to discharge his duties as SEC and during his period, general voters of the state were also unable to cast their votes in favour of their desire candidates.

"Massive resentment brewed against him among the common people and in such situation, the appointment of CIC is a wrong decision by state government," said Sarkar adding that considering such situation, he cannot support the decision.

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Earlier, the state government has appointed KG K Rao as CIC and he will take oath of office on September 12 next.

Sarkar informed that on August 19 last, a meeting was held among the committee members including Chief Minister, a cabinet minister and leader of opposition, Chief Secretary at the official residence of Chief Minister.

Altogether 12 persons had applied for the post and all the applications were verified by the then Chief secretary L K Gupta, where G K Rao name was included in the list as number-12.

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"As his role as SEC was most controversial, thus I cannot support his name as CIC and I proposed in meeting that there are many good retired officers like Atul Gupta, former PCCF and retire IAS officer M L Dey", said Sarkar.

The Opposition leader alleged that during last panchayat elections, large-scale violence and rigging was reported in every parts of the state but the then SEC G K Rao remained a silent spectator and because of his silence, the common people of the state could not exercise their democratic rights in elections.