Chandigarh The Punjab government on Monday appointed deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s son-in-law Tarun Vir Singh Lehal as an additional advocate general (AAG). Lehal is one of the five lawyers roped in by the state government for the advocate general’s office through a notification issued by the department of home affairs and justice on Monday.
The government also appointed advocates Mukesh Chander Berry as AAG, Sumeet Mahajan as senior additional advocate general, Aadil Singh Boparai as additional advocate general, and Rehatbir Singh Maan as deputy advocate general. “These appointments shall come into force with immediate effect,” reads the government order.
Jobs to relatives of Punjab ministers, legislators and senior Congress leaders have time and again created uproar in the state. In June this year, when the Captain Amarinder Singh-led government had decided to appoint the sons of Ludhiana North Congress MLA Rakesh Pandey and Qadian MLA Fateh Jung Bajwa as naib tehsildar and inspector, respectively, there was widespread criticism, especially from the opposition parties.
In September, Randhawa had also raised questions over the Amarinder-led cabinet’s move to appoint then revenue minister Gurpreet Kangar’s son-in-law as an inspector in the excise and taxation department.
“Those who deserve should get their due. But I feel before giving jobs to the kin of ministers, we should prefer general candidates. We are public representatives and should first think about the public and not our own kids. Yes, the boy who has been given job deserved this because his father had died, but our government should have extended this benefit at the time he had applied for the job,” Randhawa had said.
{{/usCountry}}“Those who deserve should get their due. But I feel before giving jobs to the kin of ministers, we should prefer general candidates. We are public representatives and should first think about the public and not our own kids. Yes, the boy who has been given job deserved this because his father had died, but our government should have extended this benefit at the time he had applied for the job,” Randhawa had said.
{{/usCountry}}The deputy chief minister couldn’t be reached for comment. However, a few TV news channels quoted him justifying the appointment, terming it “made on the recommendation of the advocate general and well within the legal framework”.
Lehal, when contacted, said the appointment of law officers was the prerogative of the advocate general and “only he (AG) can comment on my selection”. “I am in practice for 13 years and the number of cases I have fought is also in public domain. One can check my profile from the high court website. What if I am the son-in-law of a minister?” said Lehal.
In 2017, the Capt Amarinder-led dispensation had appointed former chief minister late Beant Singh’s grandson and brother of Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu as DSP in the Punjab Police.
AAP, SAD condemn move
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal criticised the government over Lehal’s appointment as the AAG.
AAP’s co-incharge for Punjab Raghav Chadha said the Congress is fulfilling its principal poll promise of ‘Ghar Ghar Naukri’ with some modifications. “Jobs are going to family members of Congress ministers and MLAs. Latest beneficiary is deputy CM’s son-in-law. CM Channi is essentially carrying forward the Captian’s legacy,” he said.
Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia also condemned the Congress government, saying Ghar Ghar Naukri scheme was applicable only to the sons and relatives of Congress ministers and legislators. “Now it is deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s turn to take advantage of the VIP quota created by the Congress government,” he said.