By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Mr. Iqbal Ahmad was sworn-in as Chief Information Commissioner, (CIC), of Madhya Pradesh at Raj Bhavan here. The state Governor Mr. Ram Naresh Yadav administered the oath of the office of CIC of the state to Mr. Ahmad.
After the swearing-in ceremony Governor Mr. Yadav greeted and extended best wishes to new Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Iqbal Ahmad. The proceedings of the swearing-in ceremony were conducted by Principal Secretary, General Administration Mr. Sudesh Kumar.
Madhya Pradesh Urban Administration & Development Minister Mr. Babulal Gaur, Finance Minister Mr. Raghavji, Forest Minister Mr. Sartaj Singh, Home Minister Mr. Umashankar Gupta, Bhopal Mayor Mrs. Krishna Gaur, Chief Secretary Mr. R. Parasuram, senior administrative and police officers and family members of Mr. Ahmad were also present on the
occasion.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Mr. Ram Naresh Yadav administering oath of the office of Chief Information Commissioner of the state to Mr. Iqbal Ahmad at Raj Bhavan
Later, talking informally to reporters on this occasion, Mr. Iqbal Ahmad said that he would work to strengthen the implementation of RTI in the state. He admitted that the shortage of personnel in the Commission was a problem but added that he would try to ensure that it didn’t come in the way of the proper working of the body.
Mr. Iqbal Ahmad is a retired IAS officer of 1974 batch of Madhya Pradesh Cadre. He was earlier an Information Commissioner, now he has now been elevated as Chief Information Commissioner.
Meanwhile, it may be mentioned here that the post of the State CIC was lying vacant for the past four months ever since outgoing Chief Information Commissioner P. P. Tiwari retired from office. There had been no meetings to decide the name of the CIC.
The meeting held on July 27 last in the State Assembly premises in presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Leader of the Opposition Mr. Ajay Singh proposed just a single name, that of Mr. Iqbal Ahmed, and finalised it. ([email protected])