Can evolve criterion to select non-SCS officer for IAS: Haryana to HC

CAT HAD UPHELD THE HARYANA GOVT’S ORDER TO HOLD A WRITTEN EXAM TO FILL 5 IAS POSTS, BUT IT WAS CHALLENGED

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government has told Punjab and Haryana high court that the state is competent to evolve criterion to select candidates for Indian Administrative Service from non-state civil service (non-SCS) officers of the state.

“The objective is to select the best candidate and the state government has decided that a written examination should be held by Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) for the purpose of short listing,” the government has told HC, referring to Indian Administrative Service (Appointment by Selection) Regulations, 1997.

The response came to a plea by Surender Singh Dahiya, 52, additional director, agriculture department.

He had challenged the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on August 7 after it had upheld the Haryana government’s June 9 order on HPSC conducting a written test to shortlist Non-SCS officers to fill five IAS posts.

The high court has stayed final selections of candidates, acting on Dahiya’s plea.

The state has to send a proposal for UPSC’s consideration for a person not belonging to state civil service, who is of outstanding merit and ability, The Haryana government has submitted.

“However, regulations do not specify how a person is to be adjudged as having outstanding merit and ability,” it says, adding that this was the reason the written exam was introduced.

The state added that same petitioner was aggrieved when they constituted a screening committee to shortlist eligible candidates in 2017 and has now raised grievance with the written examination being conducted.

Senior advocate Rajesh Garg, said, that the hearing has been deferred for September 23 with a direction to other respondents– Centre, UPSC etc to file their responses within a week, otherwise they will be accepted but with a fine.