SURESH KUMAR IS JUST AN ‘ASSISTANT’ TO CM: STATE TO HC

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Wednesday told the Punjab and Haryana high court that Suresh Kumar, the chief principal secretary to chief minister Amarinder Singh, is merely an ‘assistant’ to the CM and there is no question of the CM delegating powers to Kumar.

“He is just an assistant to CM. He says (to the CM), these are the facts …now you take a decision,” the former solicitor general of India, Ranjit Kumar, especially roped in by the Punjab government to defend its decision told the HC bench of justice Rajan Gupta. Ranjit said Suresh Kumar can dispose of files, as suggested by the petitioner. But only when there is an urgency.

Even for that, he has to get approval from CM on phone when Amarinder is travelling. The file has to be put up before the CM on his return. Suresh Kumar cannot act on his own, the court was told.

However, the HC observed that as per protocol, then the senior-most cabinet minister has to take a decision. “Can these powers be delegated to someone else,” justice Gupta asked. The HC also questioned as to who had drafted the terms of engagements and used words such as giving Suresh Kumar status equal to that of the cabinet secretary (of India).

The government has said that the CM has a right to appoint any person according to his “wisdom” to assist him for running of the state smoothly. No cadre post has been kept in abeyance, nor was it usurped by Suresh Kumar, the court was told. The appointment has been challenged by Mohali resident Ramandeep Singh, arguing that it is against the Constitutional scheme and accepted norms.

Kumar was appointed in the rank of cabinet secretary of the Government of India in March. Arguments continue on Friday.