Law enacted by Punjab challenged in HC

CHANDIGARH: The law enacted by Punjab government for appointments of law officers at its advocate general office has been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana high court.

The matter was taken up by the HC on Thursday and the hearing was adjourned for May 8. The court asked petitioner GKS Taank to provide details about the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services), Act,2006, which the petitioner claimed had been violated while enacting the law.

The law in question is the Punjab Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2017, that was recently enacted. Subsequently, the government advertised 160 posts of law officers. The last date for applying for the posts is May 8 and the contracts of previous government appointees will expire on May 10.

The petitioner has argued that even the previous government violated the law and did not make any provision for reservation as per the 2006 Act. It has been argued that the law officers are part of the executive wing of the state. Their appointment is done by the government and they are also paid from the state’s consolidated funds. Hence, provisions should have been made for reservation as per the 2006 Act.

It was also argued that the Act is in violation of Punjab Official Language Act, 1967,which provides for knowledge of Punjabi as a mandatory condition for government appointments.