Govt cancels HPSIRD Faculty appointment citing eligibility violations

Himachal Pradesh Government has declared the appointment and regularization of  Manu Mahajan as Core Faculty at the Himachal Pradesh State Institute of Rural Development (HPSIRD) as null and void, citing non-fulfillment of eligibility criteria at the time of his appointment.

The notification, issued by the Department of Rural Development and signed by Secretary Rajesh Sharma, IAS, comes in the wake of detailed inquiries prompted by complaints from Randhir Thakur, an ex-employee of HIPA/SIRD, and Advocate Abhishek Daulta. The matter had also been examined by the Law Department and the Department of Personnel.

According to the government’s notification, the inquiries and legal review revealed that Mahajan did not meet the eligibility conditions when he was appointed as Core Faculty. Consequently, the appointment was deemed to have violated rules and guidelines issued by both the Government of India and the Himachal Pradesh Government.

Further, the government clarified that multiple opportunities were provided to Mahajan to present his case, with hearings held on December 23, 2024, January 7, 2025, and January 17, 2025. However, his submissions were found untenable and unsupported by the records.

Interestingly, this development is closely linked to two ongoing cases in the Himachal Pradesh High Court—CWP No. 8009 of 2021 and CWP No. 4939 of 2021—filed by Randhir Thakur. In his petitions, Thakur has demanded regularization of his services, citing parity with Mahajan. He has argued that if Mahajan’s appointment was considered valid, similar treatment should be extended to him as well. Alternatively, if Mahajan’s appointment was found irregular, it should be revoked—which has now been done.

However, the notification makes it clear that this termination does not impact Mahajan’s original appointment as a Computer Programmer in SIRD.

The order, issued in the name of the Governor, has been sent for necessary compliance to relevant authorities including the Accountant General, Director of SIRD, and the Treasury Officer.