‘Rules amended to accommodate Hooda kin’: HC issues notices

“The rules were amended by the state so that Hooda’s relatives and his acquaintances can have a substantial standing in the Board. Previous rules did not permit any direct appointment and control by the Board. The rules notified as Service Rules,2009,were framed in such a manner so that the functioning of the Board can be manipulated by appointing Hooda’s own persons and people of his confidence,” reads the petition.

The petitioners also demanded that the amended service rules should be quashed since they are illegal,unguided,discriminatory and usurp the right of deserving candidates.

The petitioner has submitted that the association,before the amendment of rules,had given a representation to the Haryana government not to amend the rules which would deprive its members from promotion to the higher level and also not recruit/appoint/get on deputation or transfer the employees already in service.

According to the petitioner,the employees who deserved promotion were denied and instead Hooda’s relatives were accommodated.

Employees,claiming that their promotion was affected,had moved the high court demanding quashing of the said amended rules.

It has further been alleged that as per the amended rules,the authority to promote any employee is in the hands of Hooda.

“Hooda moved an application for Jagwant Singh Rana,who is the brother-in-law of Hooda’s elder brother Chaudhary Joginder Singh,for the post of Chief Marketing Executive Officer on deputation in the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board,Panchkula. Acting on it,the Board issued an appointment letter to Jagwant,” reads the petition.

Moreover,the period of deputation was also allegedly increased till July 2010 by the Board at the insistence of Hooda.

The petitioners also alleged that according to previous service rules,there was no provision to employ a person by transfer on deputation.