Himachal HC: Ensure effective implementation of state litigation policy

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, July 30

With a view to reducing unavoidable load on judiciary with respect to government-induced litigation, the HP high Court has directed the Chief Secretary to take necessary steps to ensure effective implementation of the HP State Litigation Policy, 2011.

The court passed this order last week on a petition filed by one Ankita Bhardwaj alleging therein that her candidature was not considered for the post of language teacher against the post reserved for the ward of freedom fighter by the state government despite this fact that she was eligible for the post.

While allowing her petition, Justice Vivek Singh Thakur observed that “despite approval and adoption of the aforesaid policy, it has been seen that the departments, like the present case, are invariably, instead of settling the claims or redressing grievances at their own level or rectifying the mistake wherever it is apparent on the face of record, are contesting cases vigorously for years together.”

The court further observed that “a mechanism should be developed ensuring that all such type of cases are placed before the Departmental Litigation Monitoring Committee by the officer/official concerned and responsibility of the officer/official, who failed to do so, should be fixed. Also, there must be periodical audit of litigation and working of the monitoring committee and there must be effective a consequential action to ensure accountability.”

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.