Vague norms, getting posts easy for loyalists

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 19

Taking advantage of vague selection parameters, successive state governments have been accommodating loyalists in the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and the state Information Commission.

Yesterday, Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Khaira had accused the Congress government of behaving in an “autocratic” manner while finalising appointments of six PPSC members and two Information Commissioners.

Following Khaira’s written representation, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh today directed the Personnel Department to provide information to the AAP leader about the criterion, rules and procedure adopted by the government for the selections.

A senior government functionary said: “A committee comprising the Chief Minister, Vidhan Sabha Speaker and Leader of the Opposition selects PPSC members. Whether the Leader of the Opposition agrees or returns the file with a dissent note, his concurrence is not necessary for the appointments to be okayed.”

During the SAD-BJP rule, then Leader of the Opposition Charanjit Singh Channi had cried foul over the “pick-and-choose” policy for making appointments. Now, the ruling Congress has courted controversy by shortlisting Chief Minister’s biographer Khushwant Singh and Patiala-based Congress leader Sanjeev Garg for appointment as Information Commissioners. The names shortlisted for PPSC posts include former IPS officer Lok Nath Angra and serving IAS officer APS Virk.

In 2011, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, setting aside the selection of Harish Rai Dhanda as the PPSC chairman, had observed that the state government’s approach was not transparent and objective. Capt Amarinder Singh had then hailed the Supreme Court for upholding the HC order quashing Dhanda’s appointment.

An RTI activist, HC Arora, said the Leader of the Opposition should be given sufficient time to go through the credentials of the shortlisted candidates. His suggestions/dissent should be addressed, Arora said.