GUV MUST STOP UNILATERAL APPOINTMENTS IN PPSC: KHAIRA

CHANDIGARH: Leader of opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sukhpal Khaira on Sunday asked Punjab governor VP Singh Badnore to intervene and stop unilateral appointment of six members of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and two Right to Information commissioners “as it was being done in violation of rules and procedure”.

“They may send you the file pertaining to the appointments for getting approval, and I am writing you to make you aware that state government has been trying to bypass the procedure. These appointments require concurrence of the leader of opposition. The government approached me a few days back to get my signatures on the file containing the names of six PPSC members and two RTI commissioners cleared by the chief minister and the speaker, which I confronted,” said Khaira.

“I was astonished that the CM wanted the leader of opposition to approve the names by casually circulating the names of such important constitutional appointments without holding a meeting of the selection committee,” said Khaira.

He added that this showed the casual approach of the chief minister while making appointments to such important offices, which are supposed to render justice.

Khaira said he had already written to the chief secretary asking to furnish the criteria, rules and procedure adopted by the government to make these appointments.

“I have also publicly urged the CM to reconsider these appointments and to convene a meeting with the speaker and the leader of opposition to decide afresh.”