JPSC chief's post cannot remain vacant, Jharkhand HC tells state govt
Ranchi, Aug 6
The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday observed that the post of Chairperson of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission cannot be kept vacant and directed the state government to clarify by August 20 when a new appointment will be made.
A division bench of Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar made the observation while hearing a suo motu case related to appointments against vacant posts of officers and staff in the Forest Department.
During the hearing, senior advocate Sanjay Piparwal, appearing for the JPSC, informed the court that the recruitment process to fill vacancies in the Forest Department had already been initiated.
He said that the preliminary and main examinations for the posts of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) and Range Forest Officer (RFO) had been completed. The results of the main examination have also been declared, while the schedule for the physical efficiency test has already been announced
However, the advocate submitted that the recruitment process could not move forward because of the resignation of the JPSC Chairperson L. Khiangte and the ongoing investigation related to the Commission.
Taking note of the submission, the court orally remarked that the JPSC is a constitutional body and its top post cannot remain vacant for an extended period.
The bench directed the Advocate General to obtain clear instructions from the state government and inform the court at the next hearing about the timeline for appointing a new Chairperson.
The Commission further told the court that efforts were being made to complete the recruitment process for the vacant Forest Department posts at the earliest. The High Court also sought a progress report from both the state government and the Commission on the matter.
Notably, the Jharkhand High Court has been monitoring the issue on its own, citing the adverse impact of a large number of vacancies in the Forest Department on forest conservation and administrative functioning.
The court had earlier directed the state government to ensure time-bound recruitment against vacant posts. The matter will now be heard again on August 20.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is what happens when constitutional bodies are left without leadership. The forest department vacancies directly impact our environment and wildlife protection. I hope the government expedites this process - the court's intervention is much needed here.
It's reassuring to see the judiciary actively monitoring administrative delays. In many countries, such vacancies would go unnoticed for years. This proactive approach by the Jharkhand HC should be a model for other states dealing with similar issues.
The real issue here is the investigation angle. If there's corruption, it should be dealt with firmly, but that shouldn't paralyze the entire commission. Appoint an honest officer as chairperson and let the recruitment process move forward. Our forest department needs staff on ground to combat poaching and illegal logging.
As someone who has appeared for JPSC exams, I can tell you how frustrating this uncertainty is. Students prepare for years, and then the process gets stuck due to administrative lapses. The August 20 deadline set by the court is a ray of hope. 🤞
The Jharkhand HC deserves credit for taking suo motu cognizance here. The state government should provide a clear timeline instead of vague assurances. Constitutional posts can't be left in limbo - it undermines public trust in the system. Also, forest conservation is a serious matter that needs urgent attention.
E We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.