M A I N   N E W S

Guv seeks Hooda govt’s reply on controversial appointments
Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News service

Chandigarh, August 2
Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki has sought the state government’s reply on recent controversial appointments. Alleging favouritism, the BJP had submitted a memorandum to the Governor demanding cancellation of appointments of two information commissioners and three commissioners of right to service commission.

The Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led government has been told to furnish its response within a fortnight, said sources. The Governor has also sought an independent legal opinion from the Advocate General and the Legal Remembracer, said sources.

The BJP, CPI and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) had lambasted Hooda for “appointing his favourities” to these constitutional posts in a hurried manner. Unlike previous appointments where the Governor administered oath to the new appointees, the Chief Minister administered oath to the new commissioners at his residence. The administering of oath to the new appointees is in complete violation of rules and procedures, said the Opposition. Secretary, Administrative Reforms, Pradep Kasni, had also raised the red flag just before the swearing-in ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s residence on July 27. Kasni pointed out that new appointees had not resigned and were holding an office of profit at the time of swearing-in. He also said they had not been issued appointment letters. The appointments had been approved by out-going Haryana Governor Jagannath pahadia on the last day of his term.

The INLD on Saturday submitted a memorandum to the Governor against the recent appointments. The delegation led by Ellenabad MLA Abhay Chautala and state unit chief Ashok Arora demanded immediate dismissal of the Hooda government for “violating the law and subversion of the institution of bureaucracy.”

Under scanner

• Appointments of two information commissioners and three commissioners of right to service commission are under lens
• Alleging favouritism, the BJP had submitted a memorandum to the Governor demanding cancellation of these appointments
• The Hooda government has been told to furnish its response within a fortnight. Sources said the Governor has also sought an independent legal opinion.