CIC Calls for Transparency in ED Recruitment Practices

The Central Information Commission (CIC) emphasized the importance of transparency in public recruitment, advising the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to reassess an RTI application focused on prosecutorial posts. Despite the ED's exemption claim under section 24 of the RTI Act, the CIC urged reconsideration of the application to uphold public confidence.

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has highlighted the necessity for transparency in recruitment processes for public posts, aiming to ensure public confidence. The CIC recommended that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) revisit an RTI request concerning prosecutorial positions.

The RTI application sought information on eligibility rules and vacancy numbers for various prosecutorial roles within the ED across several states. However, the ED refused to disclose the information citing section 24 of the RTI Act, which exempts particular intelligence and security bodies from such obligations, a position later supported by the First Appellate Authority.

Despite agreeing with the ED's exemption stance, Information Commissioner Vinod Kumar Tiwari urged that the information sought merits broader transparency and should be reassessed. He advised reviewing the application in light of public access to general eligibility criteria and vacancy details, ultimately leading to the appeal's dismissal due to the ED's valid exemption claim.

(With inputs from agencies.)