BJP Sikkim appears before State Information Commission; demands accountability and transparency in SPSC SI recruitment

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><b>GANGTOK, :</b> A State BJP delegation led by party spokesperson Sangay Gyatso Bhutia on Tuesday appeared before the court of the State Information Commission (SIC) in a hearing regarding the transparency of Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment conducted by the Sikkim Public Service Commission (SPSC).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The hearing was presided over by State Information Commissioner Kuber Bhandari, with representatives from both the BJP and the SPSC in attendance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">During the proceedings, the BJP legal and representative team underscored that the Right to Information (RTI) filed against the SPSC is not merely a procedural matter but a crusade for larger public interest, a State BJP press release informs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The future of our youth depends entirely on the meritocracy and integrity of our recruitment institutions and we cannot allow the aspirations of hardworking Sikkimese candidates to be compromised by a lack of transparency, said the State BJP spokesperson.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The State BJP delegation focused on several critical points of the RTI Act, 2005 to bolster their case for full disclosure. The party apprised the Commission that Section 22 of the RTI Act carries an overriding clause, ensuring that the right to information supersedes any other inconsistent legislation or official secrets provisions that the SPSC might cite to withhold data.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Highlighting the delays and lack of cooperation encountered during the process, the BJP urged the commission to invoke Section 20 of the Act. This includes initiating disciplinary action and imposing strict penalties against the State Public Information Officer (SPIO) and the First Appellate Authority (FAA) for their failure to provide timely and accurate information, said the State BJP.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The State BJP reaffirmed its unwavering support for the job aspirants of Sikkim. In light of the ongoing concerns regarding the SI recruitment process, the party assures the public that it will continue to monitor the case closely, the release mentions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">“We stand firmly with the aspirants during these challenging times. The BJP is committed to ensuring that justice is served and that the SPSC operates with the highest standards of accountability. We will always prioritize the welfare of the Sikkimese people over institutional opacity,” said the State BJP spokesperson.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-IN">&nbsp;</span></p>

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