Trial of former CPS and PS by media wrong: CM

Shimla, Apr 7 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said trial by media of the former CPS and PS was totally uncalled for as it seriously damages the interest of the individual concerned.

Participating in the discussion on the point of order raised by former CPS Harsh Wardhan Chauhan (Congress), he said such news items was creating a wrong impression in the minds of readers and sullying their image.

Fully endorsing the views of the former CPS, Mr Singh said the matter was pending before the Election Commission and nobody can conjecture whether the seats would be vacated or not.

The Chief Minister maintained that the HP Vidhan Sabha has passed a law that exempted certain positions as office of profit and specifically CPS and PS.

He said the trial by media was wrong as it seriously damages the interest of the individuals irrespective of the verdict.

Earlier, raising the point of order immediately after the question hour, Mr Chauhan alleged mental agony and spoiling of public image by news appearing in certain vernacular dailies that the Election Commission of India was not satisfied by their replies and had called them for personal hearing.

Mr Chauhan said such news items was creating a wrong impression in the minds of readers and sullying their image and advocated moving of privilege motion against such wrong reporting.

Supporting Mr Chauhan's contention, Kinnaur MLA and former PS Jagat Singh Negi also held the news items, regarding them as wrong, was sulling their image among the public.

Participating in the debate, former Chief Minister P K Dhumal said the appointment was challanged in the High Court on the basis of the fact that when the oath of office was administrated to the former CPS and PS, no posts were created which was illegal.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Gangu Ram Musafir, however, said the Members of House who felt aggrieved by the news reports appearing in the vernacular dailies regarding the disqualification case of 12 CPS and PS could bring a ''privilege motion'' if they felt strongly about it.

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