No recruitment against rules, says Himachal Chief Secretary

Shimla, September 23

The state government has directed all departments not to make any appointment outside the recruitment rules, as it is resulting in legal wrangles.

The Chief Secretary has conveyed this decision taken at the last Cabinet meeting on September 18 to the Secretaries of all departments. The Secretaries have been directed to implement the Cabinet decision in letter and in spirit and ensure that no appointment is made even if recommended by a minister. The personal responsibility of the Secretary will be fixed in case of the violation of the orders.

The Cabinet had taken the decision after the High Court set aside the appointment of School Management Committee (SMC) teachers. The orders point out that appointment in case of teachers must be made batch-wise and through the commission.

Sources said though in most of the cases, the rules were being followed, a few departments such as the Irrigation and Public Health Department were still doing recruitment outside the rules, which could end up in litigation.

The High Court had set aside the appointment of SMC teachers and had even rejected their review petitions. Now, a special leave petition has been filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the Teachers’ Association and the state government, too, has filed a petition before the apex court. — TNS