Shimla, August 18
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state is under the scanner for hurriedly carrying out the notifications on the appointment of the Chairperson and three members of Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) last evening, scheduling the oath ceremony hastily at 8.30 am today and then postponing it without citing any reason stated Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee Vice President, Naresh Chauhan on Thursday.
Talking to media persons here, Naresh Chauhan asked the Chief Minister to come clear on the appointments and then postponement of the oath ceremony. “The government decision in this regard has raised doubts. Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur must clarify to the people of Himachal that what prompted the government to notify these appointments of a prestigious institution of HPPC in such a fishy manner,” he said.
Chauhan said the Chief Minister had recently stated that the state government would go for massive recruitments in the coming month. “This is election year and most of the recruitments are to be made through HPPSC. Does it mean that the present government wanted to give appointments in HPPSC to its favourites so that people of a particular political ideology could be given jobs?” he questioned.
Chauhan said the BJP government is already in the dock for irregularities in various recruitments, like the Police department or others, and inquiries were also ordered. “Everything raises doubt about the functioning of the government in Himachal Pradesh,” he said.
He said the HPPSC is a prestigious institution, and it was established to ensure that recruitments are done in a free and fair manner. “The institution should be kept clean of all the charges. The appointments in HPPSC should be fair and people’s faith on the institution should be restored,” he said, questioning the Chief Minister about the grounds and merit of the appointment of Chairperson and three members of the Commission and what procedures were followed.
He said the Congress party also has information about some Supreme Court orders pertaining to the guidelines/process to be adopted for appointments in HPPSC on merit. “Let CM tell what are the real reasons behind the whole issue as it relates to faith of people,” he said.
The Congress leader said Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks much against corruption. “It is a good opportunity for Prime Minister Modi to intervene in the matter and ensure that Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission does not become a ground for corruption as all the recruitments in coming months are to be made through this institution,” he said.
Earlier Oath ceremony of Dr Rachna Gupta as Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission’s Chairperson was deferred this morning. Though the actual reason for the postponement of the ceremony is unknown, but opposition alleges that it was done after the appointment garnered controversy.
Meanwhile, the State government’s spokesperson has remained tight-lipped on the reasons for the cancellation of oath or appointment.
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