Questions raised over HPSC chief not quitting as member

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 20

Questions are being raised at Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) Chairman Manbir Singh Bhadana for not resigning as member of the commission before taking up the current assignment on July 25, 2013.

Punjab and High Court advocate Hemant Kumar, who has not been able to find publication of any notification in respect to the same in the Haryana Government Gazette, has filed an RTI application in the Chief Secretary’s office demanding a copy of the same. 

Hemant has demanded the notification stating that the Governor had accepted the resignation of Bhadana as member of the HPSC under Article 316 (2) of the Constitution before Bhadana was appointed as the Chairperson of the HPSC.

Bhadana was first appointed as member of the HPSC vide Haryana Government Gazette Notification dated December 11, 2010, by then Hooda government under Article 316(1) of the Constitution which meant that his term was for six-year period (December 10, 2016). However, on April 17, 2012, vide another Gazette Notification, he was appointed as Acting Chairperson of the HPSC under Article 316 (IA) of the Constitution upon retirement of then Chairperson DP Vats. This clearly showed that Bhadana did not resign as the HPSC member to take up the Chairman’s post, the advocate alleged.

Further on July 25, 2013, vide another Gazette Notification, Bhadana was though supposed to be appointed regular Chairperson under Article 316(1), but erroneously this Gazette Notification got issued and published under Article 316 (IA) which meant that his appointment as Chairperson rather got notified as Acting Chairperson.

Hemant Kumar said on December 1, 2004, when the then Chautala Government appointed Mehar Singh Saini, who was then serving member of the HPSC since July, 2000, as its Chairperson, two separate Gazette Notifications were published. One notification was regarding Saini’s acceptance of resignation as member under Article 316(2) and other appointing him as regular Chairperson under Article 316(1) on December 1, 2004.

RTI application filed 

Advocate Hemant Kumar, who has not been able to find publication of any notification about Bhadana's resignation in the Haryana Government Gazette, has filed an RTI application demanding its copy