Punjab’s Act on law officers’ appointment challenged again

The law, Punjab Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2017, was enacted by the state government recently. Subsequently, the government has advertised 160 posts of law officers. Earlier, the law was challenged on May 4.

The law enacted by the Punjab government for the appointment of law officers at its advocate general office has been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana high court again.

The matter was taken up by the high court bench of justice Surya Kant and justice Sudip Ahluwalia on Monday and hearing deferred for August 24.

The law, Punjab Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2017, was enacted by the state government recently. Subsequently, the government has advertised 160 posts of law officers. Earlier, the law was challenged on May 4.

The petitioner has argued that law officers are part of the executive wing of the state and their appointment is done by the government and they are paid too from state’s consolidated funds, hence provisions of Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services), Act, 2006 should have been followed.

It was also argued that the Act is in violation of the Punjab Official Language Act, 1967, which provides for knowledge of Punjabi a mandatory condition for government appointments. It is a special Act and cannot be violated, the petitioner has argued.