The Haryana government has recommended RD Sheokand, a former Haryana Public Service Commission chairman, for appointment as chairman of the state-level environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA). The move is in violation of Article 319 of the Constitution.
The recommendation has been sent to the environment ministry, which is the appointing authority. The SEIAA is entrusted with the task of granting environmental clearance for various projects and activities.
While senior officials were unwilling to comment on the matter, they admitted that the move was unconstitutional.
A retired IAS officer, Sheokand was a key aide of Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, having worked as his additional principal secretary for three years. Article 319 of the Constitution prohibits a former chairman or member of the state public service commission from taking up government jobs.