Chandigarh, August 9
The Haryana Governor, Dr AR Kidwai, today issued orders for the suspension of all nine members of the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC), including its chairman, MS Saini.

Awaited since last week after President Pratibha Patil gave her nod to a presidential reference by the Haryana Government for removal and suspension of the members, it is for the first time that the entire commission has been suspended in Haryana. The orders were issued by the Haryana Governor, who is in New Delhi. A copy of the orders was faxed to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Sources said the Governor signed on the suspension orders right after he received a copy of the documents pertaining to the President’s nod.

The HPSC chairman, MS Saini, and the commission’s eight members — Chattar Singh, Ranbir Singh Hooda, Dunger Ram, Om Prakash, Yudhvir Singh, Satbir Singh and Ram Kumar Kashyap — were appointed by the previous INLD government. They will remain suspended till the Supreme Court carries out an inquiry into allegations of manipulation in appointments levelled by the Haryana government.

The commission has been out of work ever since the Congress government assumed power in the state. The members of the commission had even moved court over the matter. The government pondered over various ways to get control of the HPSC during which its expansion was also given a thought. However, the move was dropped as it was found unfeasible. Finally, a presidential reference was made by the government in 2006.

Earlier this week, the cabinet approved the expansion of the commission, increasing its strength from eight to 12, besides the chairman.

With the present members out of the way, the government will now fast-track the process of appointment of four members to the expanded commission. An officiating chairman will be appointed from among the new members and the process of recruitment started full steam.

With just over a year to go before the commission’s term ends, the government will be in a hurry to carry out a recruitment drive, especially in the “prized” Haryana Civil Services (HCS).