Appointment case: HC’s contempt notice to Punjab addl chief secy

The Punjab and Haryana high court has issued contempt of court notice to Punjab additional chief secretary Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi on a petition moved by joint director, agriculture, Sutantar Kumar Airi.

The Punjab and Haryana high court has issued contempt of court notice to Punjab additional chief secretary Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi on a petition moved by joint director, agriculture, Sutantar Kumar Airi.

The response has been sought by March 15. (HT Representative Image)

The petitioner had alleged that the current duty charge of director (agriculture) was taken back from Jasbir Singh Bains, joint director, agriculture (on extension) and given to Balwinder Singh Sidhu, commissioner (agriculture) on February 15, which is in violation of high court order of February 9, 2017.

The court was told that on February 9, a HC bench had directed the government that “look after” charge of the agriculture director’s post not be given to Jasbir Singh Bains, as it was a promotion post. However, the government did not consider the petitioner for appointment after removal of Bains but appointed Sidhu, who is also not eligible for the post. The response has been sought by March 15.