In a setback to BJP govt in Haryana, the Election Commission (EC) on Monday deferred a meeting of the state’s selection committee for appointing chairperson, judicial and non-judicial members of Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) till the model code of conduct (MCC) is in force.
This is consequent to a complaint by Congress to EC on Friday.
It was said the govt has processed recruitment and fixed the meeting of the HHRC selection committee in violation of the MCC.
Chief electoral officer (CEO) Pankaj Aggarwal confirmed the deferment of holding the meeting till MCC is lifted. In its petition to the EC, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee functionary KC Bhatia had elaborated the sequence of events in the past linked to the said appointment. According to the complaint, govt had been delaying the process and now the process has been initiated even as the meeting of the selection committee was scheduled for Monday.
An EC communication said, “In a detailed report dated 07.09.2024 sought from CEO Haryana, it was informed that these six posts have been lying vacant since last year. Acting on a writ petition, the Punjab and Haryana high court on 05.04.2024 had directed state govt to fill up all posts within three weeks of the lifting of MCC which was imposed due to Lok Sabha elections. The direction of the court was not complied with by state govt even though there was sufficient time. In the meantime, a contempt petition was filed and listed on 08.07.2024 which was adjourned to 12.11.2024 on the request of the state’s counsel.’’
The commission, in its order, said although these posts have been lying vacant for more than a year, state govt will have sufficient time to fill up these posts for compliance of HC order, after completion of elections in the state on Oct 10.
