Punjab passes bill relaxing criteria for appointing SC law officers
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Standoff escalates between governor and state govt over appointment of VCs
1 2 Shimla: The ongoing standoff between governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and the Himachal Pradesh govt over the appointment of vice chancellors of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Solan and CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University in Palampur has escalated. Shukla, as chancellor of universities, has now held the state agriculture secretary's Aug 11 letter as 'patently illegal' and 'unconstitutional' for unilaterally withdrawing the advertisements issued by the Raj Bhawan secretariat on July 21 for the appointment of vice chancellors of these two varsities. Terming the letter issued by agriculture secretary C Paulrasu as 'nonest in the eyes of law', the governor has now set aside the letter. "The advertisement, being issued under a specific Act, while exercising statutory powers can only be withdrawn by the authority that issued it," clarified Shukla. Restoring the advertisement notices issued by the Raj Bhavan secretariat on July 21, the governor has now extended the time period for receiving applications from the aspirants for the post of vice chancellors of these two varsities up to Aug 18. The posts of vice chancellors of the Palampur university and Solan university have been vacant since Aug 21, 2023, and May 8 this year, respectively. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Purva Kharadi Plus – 2/3 BHKs with 50+ Perks Codename Kharadi Plus Enquire Now Undo The governor has reiterated that the process to fill these two posts has been initiated by him in accordance with rules, legal as well as constitutional provisions. Meanwhile, the agriculture secretary, in his Aug 11 letter, termed the selection process of the vice chancellors initiated by the governor as illegal and 'against the spirit of the constitution and values of democracy'. Earlier, agriculture minister Chander Kumar, on July 26, wrote to the governor to keep the selection committee in abeyance, stating that the Amendment Bill, 2023, pertaining to the appointment of vice chancellors, is to be reconsidered by the legislative assembly in the forthcoming monsoon session starting from Aug 18. The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, on Sep 21, 2023, passed The Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which mandates the governor to appoint vice chancellors on the "aid and advice" of the state govt. However, the governor returned the Bill to the state govt with the observation to make amendments in the Bill for the constitution of a selection committee. However, the governor, in the notification issued on Thursday, clarified, "The chancellor, while exercising the statutory powers under the specific Act, is not bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers as he was not exercising his constitutional powers but is exercising his statutory powers." Responding to the agriculture secretary's Aug 11 letter, the governor mentioned that the chancellor, having statutory powers under the Act, is the sole competent authority to initiate the process of appointment of the vice chancellor. Therefore, it is implicit that the process for such appointments is to be initiated by the office of the chancellor and not otherwise as inferred by the advocate general in his advice. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Power employees call off strike after talks with power minister
1 2 Patiala: After discussions with Punjab power minister Harbhajan Singh ETO in Patiala on Thursday, the PSEB Employees Joint Forum and Bijli Mulazam Ekta Manch Punjab announced the withdrawal of their ongoing strike. The breakthrough followed a series of meetings held on Aug 10 and Aug 14, chaired by finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema and power minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, along with PSPCL officials at Punjab Bhawan and PSPCL guest house in Chandigarh. These meetings led to the acceptance of key employee demands, with formal minutes documenting the agreements. Addressing the media, power minister Harbhajan Singh ETO expressed satisfaction over the resolution, stating that detailed discussions between union representatives and the govt had resulted in mutually agreeable solutions. He assured that PSPCL board of directors would expedite formal approval of the agreed provisions, while matters requiring cabinet sanction would be fast-tracked. The minister thanked union leaders and employees for trusting the govt's assurances and resuming duties promptly. He emphasised the importance of uninterrupted power supply during the critical period leading up to Sep 30, which coincides with peak paddy cultivation and high domestic electricity demand. Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the govt's employment achievements, noting that over 55,000 jobs have been created in the past three and a half years. Regarding recruitment in PSPCL and PSTCL, he said more than 7,000 appointments have been completed, with another 11,000 expected by year-end. Also, the ex gratia has been increased by Rs 5 lakh, raising it to Rs 35 lakh. A committee has also been formed to address the demands of outsourced and contractual employees, with its recommendations to be implemented upon submission. The power minister reiterated that the Mann government is committed to addressing every legitimate demand of govt employees and ensuring that the people of Punjab do not face any inconvenience. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Confederation urges CM to form Cabinet sub-committee to review Nagamohan Das Commission report
Confederation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes' Organisations on Thursday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to form a sub-committee of the State Cabinet to review in detail the report submitted by the H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission, which was constituted to implement internal reservation among the State's 101 Scheduled Castes. Addressing press persons here, its president Lolaksha said that the confederation urges the Chief Minister to take a decision on forming the sub-committee in the special Cabinet meeting scheduled for Saturday. The sub-committee should be headed by a senior Minister who does not belong to a Scheduled Caste, but it should include all the Ministers belonging to the Scheduled Castes. 'The sub-committee should hear/receive the views and representations of the Scheduled Castes' people/organisations over the report, and review its merits and demerits,' he said. The proposed internal reservation policy should be designed with sincere concern to empower the most vulnerable among the oppressed and deprived Scheduled Castes through special priority, and ensure justice in every way without adopting any discriminatory policy on the basis of left or right leanings, Mr. Lolaksha said. Since any decision to be taken by the government on the report will have a significant impact on the lives and future of 1.07 crore people belonging to 27,24,768 Scheduled Caste families, the Chief Minister and Ministers should not take any hasty decisions in this regard, the confederation said. The confederation also demanded that, immediately after the current session of the Legislature ends, the sub-committee should either visit all districts or at least hold meetings in Kalaburgi, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, and Bengaluru, to receive representations from Scheduled Caste people/organisations and then make appropriate recommendations to the government in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution. Mr. Lolaksha said: 'In our memorandum submitted to the Commission on January 31, we had demanded a fresh survey for internal reservation in the State. However, before the survey even began on May 5, the chairperson of the Commission said that those who have converted to Christianity but still hold an SC certificate would be allowed to participate in the survey. The chairperson also justified the participation of those registered under names such as Adi Dravida and Adi Karnataka, despite their caste names not being listed under the Scheduled Castes. The survey was conducted without including a 'religion' column, allowed 3,22,049 people registered as Beda Jangam and Budga Jangam to participate, but considered only 1,44,387 of them.' 'These actions, in data collection and analysis, go against the spirit and commitment of the Constitution, create hostility and division among castes, and classify communities in an unscientific manner, thereby making recommendations to the government. For these reasons, a thorough review of this report is absolutely necessary,' Mr. Lolaksha said.
