HC Advocate files complaint with ECI over missing seal and signature of Haryana CS on suspension order of SDO
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, April 8, 2024: Hemant Kumar, Advocate in Punjab and Haryana High Court has written to Election Commission of India (ECI) over the missing seal and signature of the Haryana Chief Secretary (CS) on the suspension order of Sub-Divisional Officer posted in Kaithal sub-division.
Advocate shared that on April 6, the state government issued suspension order of Braham Parkash, an officer of the Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) cadre for short HCS officer, who was then posted as Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) - SDO(C) a.k.a. SDM in Kaithal sub-division of Kaithal district, who also happens to be ex-officio one of the designated Assistant Returning Officer(ARO) under Section 22(1) of Representation of the People Act, 1951 in respect of Kurukshetra Parliamentary Constituency.
It is to be mentioned that a controversy erupted over the denial of permission to the AAP party by the aforementioned Kaithal SDM for poll rallies with the usage of reportedly objectionable words on the ENCORE portal.
Kumar expressed that he was astonished to see that the suspension order didn't bear the seal- signature of TVSN Prasad, incumbent Chief Secretary, Haryana but rather a Deputy Secretary level officer in the Personnel Department, one Suresh Kumar, who is non-IAS and even non-HCS
In an email communication to ECI, CEO, Haryana along with a copy to the Chief Secretary, Haryana, HC Advocate stated that there can't be two sets of parameters/standards i.e. when the posting/transfer of HCS(EB) officer is ordered, it is done with the seal-signature of Chief Secretary, Haryana but when any HCS (EB) officer is placed under suspension, then instead of seal-signature of Chief Secretary, Haryana, rather a Deputy Secretary level officer who is non-IAS and even non-HCS signs the same.
Furthermore, Hemant has also mentioned in this email communication that an order of suspension of any HCS (EB) or even IAS officer, if any, ought to be subjected to proactive public disclosure i.e. by uploading not only on the official website of the Chief Secretary, Haryana but also on the official website of CEO, Haryana particularly when the same is done during the prevalence Model Code of Conduct in respect of General Election.