Sun Oct 12 10:24:30 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it:

**Summary:**

The Karnataka state government in India has finalized the names of three candidates to fill vacancies in the Karnataka Information Commission. The decision was made at a meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and attended by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil. The selected candidates are former IAS officer Richard Vincent D’Souza, journalist Venkat Singh, and Mahesh Valvekar, a former journalist who currently serves as an officer on special duty to the Legislative Council Chairman. An official notification is expected soon, as the current Chief Information Commissioner Ashit Mohan Prasad is retiring at the end of October. The Congress government had previously appointed three journalists as information commissioners.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Names Candidates for Information Commission Amidst Commissioner’s Impending Retirement**

**Bengaluru, October 12, 2025** – The Karnataka state government has reportedly finalized the selection of three candidates to fill vacancies in the Karnataka Information Commission. The decision was reached during a meeting today, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and attended by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the chosen individuals are Richard Vincent D’Souza, a former IAS officer; Venkat Singh, a seasoned journalist; and Mahesh Valvekar, a former journalist currently serving as an officer on special duty to the Legislative Council Chairman, Basavaraj Horatti.

An official announcement formalizing the appointments is expected to be issued by the state government on Monday, October 13, 2025.

The appointments come as Chief Information Commissioner Ashit Mohan Prasad is scheduled to retire on October 31, 2025, leaving a significant gap in the commission’s leadership.

The Congress government has a history of appointing journalists to the Information Commission, and these nominations further reflect that trend. The new commissioners will be tasked with handling right-to-information requests and ensuring transparency in government operations.

The Karnataka Information Commission plays a crucial role in upholding citizens’ rights to access information and holding the government accountable. The timely filling of these vacancies is essential to maintain the commission’s effectiveness.

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