Page 36 - GSTL_7th May 2020_Vol 36_Part 1

J18 GST LAW TIMES [ Vol. 36
Kaul said the Supreme Court Collegium and the Government are often not on
the same page, and due to this a large number of recommendations do not go
through.
“But what about the appointments that have been cleared? This cannot
be allowed to continue,” the Bench observed.
Tripathi suggested that existing Members of Tribunals scheduled to re-
tire should be allowed to continue until new appointments are made by the Gov-
ernment.
The Bench said if the Court allows extension of tenure to existing Mem-
bers then there will be no appointments by the Government.
[Source : The Indian Express, New Delhi, dated 6-5-2020]

Keep expense record, be ready for disclosure, CIC tells
Government
The Central Information Commission has directed the Union Govern-
ment to maintain meticulous record of all public expenditure and disclose details
of welfare measures undertaken during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Government Departments have to proactively disclose all steps un-
dertaken during the pandemic. After this is over, people would exercise their
right to information to know where the money was spent. It is essential that steps
are taken right away and Ministries are sensitised to proactive public disclo-
sure,” CIC Bimal Julka told ET.
CIC has written to the Department of Personnel and Training, the Nodal
Ministry for the Right to Information Act implementation, to sensitise all Central
Ministries and autonomous bodies on keeping records, especially Departments
involved in relief measures.
“Considering the unique challenges of the pandemic, it may kindly be
considered to bring to the notice of public authorities dealing with essential ser-
vices that Government relief, rescue and other welfare actions should be widely
disseminated in the media as well as websites in accordance with Section 4 of the
RTI Act,” CIC said in its letter.
The letter followed a series of meetings CIC had with Former Infor-
mation Commissioners and Civil Society Organisations. RTI activists pointed out
that it was essential for Government to voluntarily disclose expenditure on
COVID-19 relief measures. “If proper flies are not kept, accountability issues can
be raised later,” Julka said. According to sources, CIC has also asked State Infor-
mation Commissions to write to respective State Governments and direct them to
proactively disclose all steps.
Section 4 of RTI Act mandates public authorities to maintain records,
catalogued and indexed, for easy access under RTI Act and ensure that all rele-
vant records are computerized “within a reasonable time and subject to availabil-
ity of resources...and connected through a network all over the country on differ-
ent systems so that access to such records is facilitated,” CIC’s letter to DoPT
said. The performance of most Government Departments is below average on
proactive disclosure.
[Source : The Economic Times, New Delhi, dated 6-5-2020]
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