NO FAVOURITISM IN APPOINTMENT OF LAW OFFICERS: CAPT

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday refuted allegations of favouritism in law officers’ appointment by the state government and claimed that it was done on merit.

The Punjab government on Friday had announced reduction of the size of its legal team to almost half its previous strength and chose to appoint more experienced professionals to clear the mounting pendency of state-related cases in various courts.

On media reports that kin of Congress leaders and government officials had been accommodated in the new legal team, the CM said all appointments were cleared without any bias and solely taking into account the candidates’ proficiency and experience.

He said similar considerations were taken into account in appointment of all law officers, including Sukhmani Bajwa, the daughter of Congress MLA Fateh Singh Bajwa. “It is unfortunate that a political colour is being sought to be given to the appointments,” the CM said.

A person’s family connections cannot be allowed to be considered for professional appointments as it would lead to depriving many candidates the opportunity they deserve. The state government would be deprived of services of efficient professionals, he said.

Kin of some politicians and at least six former judges are among the 121 names announced by the Punjab government for appointment as law officers.

Of the 121 new law officers appointed, 25 are additional advocate generals, 49 assistant AGs, 30 deputy AGs and 17 senior deputy AGs. HTC AND PTI