http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/UPSIC-gets-woman-information-commissioner/articleshow/8856549.cms   UPSIC gets woman information commissioner TNN | Jun 15, 2011, 02.07am IST   LUCKNOW: The UP State Information Commission (UPSIC) is getting a new incumbent and this time a woman. The notification declaring the appointment of Khadijatul Kubra as the new Information Commissioner (IC) reached UPSIC on Tuesday. The commission has 10 ICs. A post got vacant after the retirement of Gyanendra Sharma early this year. Though curtains are down on who will be the new IC, but yet there is no information regarding Kubras educational background. The notification introduces Kubra as the wife of MJ Akhtar, media advisor to the chief minister. When asked about the background of the new incumbent, Yogendra Singh, secretary, UPSIC, said, we only have this single line notification and can not say anything more on this. The state chief information commissioner and information commissioner are appointed by the governor on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the chief minister (who is also the chairperson), leader of opposition in legislative assembly and a cabinet minister to be nominated by the chief minister. However, Governor Office could not reveal much about the new appointee. While the information officer was not available for comment, GB Patnaik, principal secretary, governor, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. The staff at his office, however, denied that any information on the new ICs educational and professional background was available at the office. Any information on this will only be available with the government, said the staff at Governor Office. The RTI Act clearly defines the eligibility norms for state chief information commissioner and information commissioners. The ICs shall be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance ". When will the new IC take oath is also not known. "We are trying to call her up but could not speak to her," said secretary, UPSIC. The RTI activists in UP, on the other hand, have sent a memorandum to the governor. We want the appointment of ICs to be a fair procedure, said activist Urvashi Sharma. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/UPSIC-gets-woman-information-commissioner/articleshow/8856549.cms -- Urvashi Sharma RTI Helpmail( Web Based ) aishwaryaj2010@gmail.com Mobile Rti Helpline 8081898081 ( 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. )