New Delhi, November 16
Punjab Governor SF Rodrigues (retd) will continue to hold charge of his post till his successor is appointed. A political decision on the new appointee is expected any time, said sources, adding that Congress bosses had done an assessment and the matter was expected to be resolved soon.

The name of a former union minister from an eastern state tops the list in a small panel of names cleared for appointment.

Sources in the Home Ministry said nothing had been conveyed so far. It was the ministry that initiated the proceedings on the appointment of Governor.

The continuation of General Rodrigues was not an extension of sorts. There was nothing unusual about it, said the sources. Article 155 of the Constitution says a Governor shall be appointed by the President. A Governor shall hold term of five years from the date on which he enters his office. The crucial clause that allows a Governor to continue is “…A Governor shall, notwithstanding the expiration of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office”.

The most recent case of a Governor, carrying on beyond the five-year tenure, is of previous Tripura Governor D N Sahay. His term ended in June, 2005, and he was finally removed when Kamla Beniwal was appointed in October, 2009. In case of Rodrigues, the continuation would not be that long. It would not take more than a few days more, said sources.

Meanwhile, the sources in the Home Ministry said the process of appointing a Chief Commissioner for Chandigarh was also under consideration. In the pre-1984 days, Chief Commissioner, who used to a senior UT cadre IAS officer, was in charge of Chandigarh. Since then, the Punjab Governor has held additional charge as Administrator of Chandigarh. Several organisations have been demanding that the old pattern of having a Chief Commissioner should be implemented again. The Home Ministry is in favour of the Chief Commissioner system, however, political compulsions, especially protest from the ruling SAD-BJP in Punjab, may influence the decision.