MPPSC appointments: High court gives government more time to reply to PIL

The MP high court granted two more weeks’ time to the state government to respond to a PIL seeking direction to the state government to frame guidelines for appointments at various posts in MPPSC.

The MP high court on Tuesday granted two more weeks’ time to the state government to respond to a PIL seeking direction to the state government to frame guidelines for appointments at various posts in the MPPSC, including chairman and examination controller.

The PIL said guidelines are to be framed on the basis of the Dr Devraj Birdi committee recommendations and the apex court directives in the State of Punjab vs Salil Sabhlok (2013) and others case. Right to Information (RTI) activist Ajay Dubey has filed the PIL in this regard.

The petitioner claimed the present chairman of MP Public Service Commission (MPPSC) Ashok Pandey of higher judicial service is graded B in the confidential report. The fact was ignored during his appointment as chairman. The petitioner has annexed necessary documents to this regard with the PIL.

Similarly examination controller of MPPSC Srikrishna Sharma worked in the commission even though his parent department did not extend the period of deputation.

A seven-member IAS officers’ committee, headed by Dr Devraj Birdi, gave various recommendations to the state government in February 2014 including to reform process for recruitment in the government agencies carrying recruitment and other competitive examinations, including Professional Examination Board.