The country’s transparency watchdog Central Information Commission (CIC) has pointed out serious procedural lapses in the appointment of officers in important public undertakings like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The case related to an RTI application filed by one Vishnu Darbari, who had sought information regarding vigilance clearance for one VK Sharma, 1994-batch IFoS, for his induction in NHAI in 2000 and absorption five years later.
Darbari had claimed the disclosure of this information was in public interest and there have been reports regarding induction of officers in the NHAI without requisite vigilance clearance, which is a requirement for any induction and absorption in the organisation.
The NHAI had claimed that the vigilance clearance was not provided as there is no such paper available in the records.
When the matter reached the CIC, it ordered an enquiry to be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to trace out the missing files. Following the orders, the NHAI submitted a no-objection certificate (NOC) and approval of the Competent Authority towards permanent absorption of Sharma in NHAI.
When CIC further questioned, NHAI stated they had taken the vigilance clearance “telephonically” from the Ministry. The NHAI further produced a copy of the vigilance clearance issued by Secretary, UP to the Ministry of Environment and Forest, and stated that this letter was also taken by them as a vigilance clearance.
Expressing concern over the state of affairs, Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad said the RTI query brings to light, a matter of public interest, that is serious procedural lapses in appointment of officers in important public undertakings like the NHAI.
"Records of the case reveal the subject of illegal appointments in which the High Court had advised rectification of the irregularities in appointments including that of the post of GM Environment, which is the subject matter of the instant case," Azad said.