Author: Times News Network
Publication: Times of India
Date: November 29, 2010
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Terms-of-reference-of-JK-interlocutors-being-considered/articleshow/7005725.cms
Introduction: The MHA is still working on
the term of reference, perks and privileges of three J&K interlocutor
M M Ansari, Rada Kumar, and Dileep Padgaonkar, though the decision to appoint
them was taken by the PM on September 25, an RTI query on Ansari's dual assignments
as information commissioner and interlocutor, the government has quietly forwarded
the query to the CIC
Evading a query on the dual charge held by
M M Ansari as information commissioner in the Central Information Commission
and a member of the government-appointed panel of interlocutors for J&K,
the home ministry has forwarded the query to the CIC.
The ministry also said that the terms of reference,
perks and privileges of the three interlocutors were under consideration.
The group was appointed by the Centre in October to initiate sustained dialogue
with all shades of opinion in the state. This was disclosed by the ministry
in an RTI reply dated November 23.
The ministry referred to the CIC queries related
to dual assignments accepted by former information commissioner M M Ansari,
who was made a member of the group of interlocutors despite holding his position
in the commission. Ansari continued to be an IC till his five-year tenure
at the panel came to an end on October 28. "This concerns the office
of CIC. A copy of application is being forwarded to CPIO, CIC," the reply
said.
The decision to appoint a set of interlocutors
was taken at the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting chaired by Prime Minister
c on September 25.
The replies were response to questions posed
by RTI activist S C Agrawal. When asked about the brief given by the ministry
to the group, the ministry said, "The interlocutors have been appointed
to hold sustained dialogue with all sections of the people of J&K."
