Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar to take final call on extension to ACS (Home)

Tribune News Service

Geetanjali Gayatri

Chandigarh, June 23

Despite a recommendation from Home Minister Anil Vij, it may be difficult for ACS (Home) Rajeev Arora to get an extension in service after his retirement on July 31. However, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will take the final call in the matter.

Not admissible under rules

The Chief Secretary’s office had, in its noting on the recommendation letter received from Home Minister Anil Vij, stated that though Arora was a ‘capable’ officer, an extension could not be given under the rules. The file has been put up to the CM

Sources said the Chief Secretary’s office had, in its noting on the recommendation letter received from Vij, stated that though Arora was a “capable” officer, an extension could not be given under the rules. This file has been put up to the CM.

According to information, it was stated that an extension to an officer was only admissible if he was handling a subject of grave importance that required the continuation of service or the said officer, at the time of superannuation, was heading an inquiry. These two provisions, however, do not apply to Arora.

The sources also added that the noting mentioned that there was no provision for grating extension to an ACS-rank officer. It added that despite his “good work” in the health sector, during Covid, and in the handling of the farmers’ agitation, no extension in service was admissible.

Last month, Vij had recommended for extension of a year in service to Arora. The minister, who holds the portfolio of Health and Home, in his letter to the Chief Minister, had appreciated Arora’s work during the pandemic and the farmers’ agitation which had lasted for nearly a year.

Under the rules, the state government can give extension of three months to an officer, while the Centre’s approval is needed beyond this period.

Three senior officers of the 1987-batch are due to retire by July-end. While ACS (Development and Panchayat) Amit Jha will retire on June 30, ACS Irrigation and Town and Country Planning Department, Devender Singh, and ACS (Home and Health) Arora will retire on July 31. With three vacancies among the top officers, a reshuffle is also on the cards.

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