Latest news with #PunjabCivilServices
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
HC upholds discharge of Haryana probationary judge: ‘deemed confirmation a perilous concept'
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld the dismissal of former probationary civil judge (junior division) Ankur Lal, rejecting his plea against a decade-old discharge order over integrity concerns and unsatisfactory performance. The ruling, pronounced on Thursday by a bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, dismissed Lal's writ petition challenging the decision of the high court's Full Court, which recommended his discharge on July 23, 2012. Acting on these recommendations, the Haryana Government issued an order on December 4, 2012, terminating his probationary services. Lal had approached the high court through Civil Writ Petition No. 17822 of 2013, seeking to quash both the Full Court's recommendation and the discharge order. He had served as a probationary civil judge from 2009 to 2012, but his service record reflected multiple adverse remarks. These included a 'B-Satisfactory' rating in 2009–10, a 'C–Below Average' rating with the remark 'integrity doubtful' in 2010–11, and a 'B–Average' rating in 2011–12, during which the Bar Association of Ferozepur Jhirka submitted an anonymous complaint against him. The Administrative Committee had recommended that his services be dispensed with, a view endorsed by the Full Court and conveyed to the government, culminating in the discharge order. In court, Lal argued that under Rule 7.3 of the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994, he was entitled to deemed confirmation upon completion of three years of probation, especially in light of available vacancies. The bench rejected this argument, holding that deemed confirmation requires both a permanent vacancy and satisfactory service—neither of which was applicable in Lal's case. 'There is no allegation of mala fide intent on the part of the authorities,' the court noted. Emphasising the importance of integrity in the judiciary, the bench observed in its judgment: 'The concept of probation is to enable the Employer to analyse the work, conduct and behaviour of the appointee… This power cannot be taken away… Deemed confirmation is a perilous concept in service jurisprudence…' 'If deemed confirmation is brought into play… then an anomalous situation would arise where the probationer, despite being unfit, is deemed to be confirmed, bringing into the service a Judge of doubtful integrity. This would be deleterious to the very concept of probity on which the entire judicial system stands,' it added. The court found no procedural irregularity in the discharge decision and ordered that Lal's Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) be returned to the relevant branch. With this ruling, the high court has reinforced the principle that integrity and performance during probation are non-negotiable in judicial appointments, and automatic confirmation cannot override a service record marred by adverse remarks.
Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
PCS aspirant to millionaire: How a hybrid melon gave this Punjab farmer the sweet taste of success
Forty-eight-year-old Gurnam Singh Mutti from Nasirewal village in Sultanpur Lodhi tried to clear Punjab Civil Services several times but failed each time. A postgraduate in Political Science, Gurnam spent years preparing for the exams and he could clear the preliminary stage while a few times he reached the interview round but never found his name on the esteemed list. A disheartened Gurnam then decided to look closer home and started investing more time in his farm. He gradually began cultivating premium varieties of muskmelon and watermelon on his 22 acres. Sooner, his efforts bore fruit — literally and also financially. Now every year, between mid-February and June end, he earns Rs 36 to Rs 37 lakh. Of the total 40 acres that he owns, Gurnam dedicated 20 acres to muskmelon and 2 acres to watermelon this season. He has also taken an additional 45 acres on lease, and is currently farming mostly cash crops. His annual sales from various crops, including melons touch nearly Rs 2.5 crore, with a net profit margin of 40–45% after all expenses, depending on weather conditions and the market. He grows three seasonal crops — Kharif, Rabi, and Spring/Summer — rotating four different types of crops annually. Despite allocating only 25% of his total land to melons, they bring him the highest returns. 'I sowed the crop between February 15 and March end, and harvesting starts in early May and continues till June end,' he says, adding, 'With good weather and proper planning, muskmelon has proved to be a highly profitable crop.' He primarily grows the Bobby variety of muskmelon, known for its sweetness. This hybrid, developed by Taiwan-based company Known-You, is widely appreciated for its sweet taste and long shelf life. Due to its superior quality, his entire melon crop is purchased directly from the field. He uses 200-250 grams of premium muskmelon seed per acre, which cost him around Rs 22,000. Earlier, he cultivated regular varieties, but their market performance was highly unpredictable and less profitable. With hybrid varieties, however, he has found a lucrative market. The total input cost per acre, including seeds, fertilisers, mulching sheets, labour, and other expenses, ranged from Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000. On average, he achieved a yield of 100–110 quintals per acre, selling muskmelons at Rs 25 per kg in the wholesale market. Each fruit typically weighs between 800 grams and 1 kg, and consumers appreciate the convenient size. 'The bobby variety stands out for its taste. Those who try it once tend to become regular buyers. I also experimented with Punjab Agricultural University's (PAU) variety, Punjab Amrit, and grew it on a small patch of 2-3 kanal during the current season,' he says. He adds that one can sell bobby muskmelon for Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 2.75 lakh per acre after covering all expenses, the net profit can range from Rs 1.70 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per acre. 'Compared to spring maize, which is grown in the same season, muskmelon and watermelon crops require only about one-seventh of the water. I'm also planning to install drip irrigation, which will further reduce water consumption.' he says, adding that rain close to harvest can cause leaf rot, so preventive, non-harmful sprays and proper drainage are crucial. For watermelon, he has experimented with visually appealing and flavourful varieties such as: Jannat (tomato red flesh, light green skin), Mannat (red flesh with dark green skin), Vishala (red inside, yellow outside), and Aarohi (striking black skin and yellow-red flesh). 'I'm a farmer's son and have been into farming since childhood, but my academic background and analytical mindset have helped me adopt scientific methods and market-driven cropping patterns,' he says. In addition to melons, he also grows Spring maize on 63 acres (February to June), Potatoes (October to February), and Basmati and PR 126 (a short-duration paddy variety) from June to October on all 85 acres. These three crops together generate revenue around Rs 2 crore annually, with net returns of 40–45%, excluding melons, which earn the maximum profit. 'I could expand the area under melons to increase profits, but these are risky crops, heavily dependent on weather. If the government supports farmers with marketing and risk coverage, the area under melons could increase manifold. There is a high demand for these fruits, especially in the Middle East and Europe and export can be increased manifold if the government helps in exports, maintaining a cold chain etc. If that happens then even small farmers can earn lakhs form small landholdings in a small time,' he adds.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab govt suspends VB chief director, two other officers for ‘grave misconduct, dereliction of duty'
Chandigarh: A month after his appointment, the Punjab govt on Friday suspended Vigilance Bureau (VB) chief director cum additional director general of police (ADGP) S P S Parmar for "grave misconduct and dereliction of duty." The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led govt gave Punjab Police intelligence wing chief ADGP P K Sinha, who is also the ADGP NRI, additional charge of VB chief director. In separate suspension orders, the Punjab home department also suspended VB assistant inspector general (flying squad) Swarandeep Singh and Jalandhar VB senior superintendent of police Harpreet Singh Mander on similar grounds of "grave misconduct and dereliction of duty." The All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules were mentioned for IPS officer Parmar, while the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970 were cited for the Punjab Police Service (PPS) officers Swarandeep and Mander. A govt functionary said the action against the trio was taken following "inaction" in arresting at least two officers of the transport department who were among those booked on corruption charges by the VB. This followed a state-wide crackdown where surprise inspections were conducted at Regional Transport Authority (RTA) offices and driving test centres across the state. The crackdown led to the arrest of 24 individuals allegedly involved in bribery and malpractice. A total of 16 FIRs were registered, and Rs 40,900 was confiscated from middlemen who were allegedly extorting money from citizens seeking driving licences, driving tests, and other services. A senior Punjab govt functionary said, "The inaction obviously points to corruption. I cannot comment more at this stage." The suspension of the VB chief director and two other officers of the wing comes close on the heels of the VB Jalandhar obtaining the arrest warrant of Ravinder Kumar Bansal, a Punjab Civil Service Officer serving as Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Nawanshahr, in an FIR registered against him following the VB crackdown, and of Mohali RTO Pardeep Singh Dhillon. On April 24, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Mohali directed the arrest of Dhillon and his production before the court on May 2. On April 23, the court of CJM Nawanshahr directed the arrest of Bansal and the return of the warrant on or before May 1 with an endorsement certifying the day and how it was executed, or reasons why it was not executed. Concerned govt officials did not respond to calls and texts for their version. Parmar was appointed as VB chief director on March 26, replacing G Nageswara Rao, who in turn replaced Varinder Kumar as Vigilance Bureau chief on Feb 17. With P K Sinha being given additional charge of the VB chief director, he would be the fourth officer to head the VB this year.
