After HC blow, Virbhadra opens back door for secys

A notification in this regard is expected by this weekend as the government first wants to study the judgment — which had ruled that the Chief Minister had no power to appoint CPSs and PSs.

Officials say the Chief Minister has two options — to appoint them as advisors or chairmen of boards and corporations or on “honorary” posts — the latter being less open to being challenged in the court.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had yesterday warned the government against side-stepping the court by appointing the secretaries as advisors or chairmen of PSUs.

The government today denied there was any such move but asserted that it was the Chief Minister’s “prerogative to appoint one or any person to any posts.”

Sources said initially, the Chief Minister was keen to have only Mukesh Agnihotri as a spokesperson, but lobbying by some ministers made him agree to “rehabilitate” three more MLAs. Those being considered for the job include Anita Verma, Harshvardhan Chauhan and Tek Chand. Sources added the spokespersons would be attached to the Chief Minister and the cabinet ministers.

The Chief Minister today met the ministers to seek their advice on the High Court judgment and told them about the possibility of an appeal against the ruling. For this, consultations are under way, he told them.