HC stays quashing of PCS compassionate appointments

Chandigarh, Jan 18 (UNI) The Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed till further orders the recent quashing of the appointments of certain candidates to the Punjab Civil Service (PCS) executive branch made on compassionate grounds by the Punjab government 13 years ago.

The candidates concerned had lost their kin during militancy days in the state. The appointments of seven such individuals had been quashed by Justice Mahesh Grover while disposing of some writ petitions preferred against the same.

An order to this effect was given by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Vijendra Jain and Justice Rajive Bhalla while issuing notices for April 18 to the Punjab government and other respondents, including those whose writ petitions had been decided upon by Justice Grover over a month ago.

The affected officers had filed letter patent appeals which came up for preliminary hearing today.

It was contended on behalf of the appellants that the state government has the powers under Article 162 of the Constitution to make such appointments. Also, it was within its right to grant relaxation under extra-ordinary circumstances like the one under reference, in any provision of rules governing appointments, the counsel for the appellants submitted further.

The Punjab Council of ministers on March 23, 1993 had approved these appointments after taking these posts out of the purview of the state public service commission. The parents of the appointed officers had been killed by terrorists while performing duty.

UNI