HC against giving extension to HPSEB chairman

Shimla, Oct 13 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Government today expressed its reservation against the state government's decision to give a another extension to HP State Electricity Board (HPSEB) Chairman Kanwar Shamsher Singh, saying it was a worst case of nepotism.

The court questioned the government's legality of fresh two-year term to Mr Kanwar and asked it to look for a new official to head the board after the term of the present chairman's end next week.

The orders of were passed yesterday on a PIL filed by Praveen Sharma who said the chairman's appointment was doing no good to the public and was more of a personal favour.

Besides seeking stay on the government's decision to give another two-year extension to the present chairman, he also sought directions for the implementation of the Electricity Act 2003 to the government.

Agreeing with the petition, the court said ''the re-appointment was nothing more than an act of favouritism''.

The court also stayed the government notification of October three, whereby Mr Kanwar was re-appointed as member and also chairman of the HPSEB until October 2009.

''There is absolutely no word on record as to what were the compelling reasons and grounds for his re-appointment as chairman for two years,'' the court observed.

The court also reproduced the request letter by the chairman seeking re-appointment as chairman for two years.

Since the post of HPSEB Chairman was very important for Himachal Pradesh in view of the state's power potential, the government was free to find a new and suitable incumbent as the post cannot be left vacant after expiry of the chairman's term, the court said.

UNI