Appointments quashed

CHANDIGARH, Dec 14: Allowing a writ petition, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today quashed the appointments of 26 part time members of District Forums in Haryana.

Pronouncing the orders, Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice Iqbal Singh of the High Court, directed the state government to make fresh selection against the vacancies within four months 8220;in view of the observations in the order8221;. In her petition, Gurgoan based advocate Asha Barak had earlier alleged that the selection of a majority of the members was stage-managed and due to extraneous considerations. She had also alleged that the procedure adopted by the government was contrary to the doctrine of right to equality and article 14 and 16 of the constitution.

It had also been alleged that the petitioner did not get any response to the application for appointment as a part time member of the District Forum. The state counsel, on the other hand, had refuted the allegations of infirmity in the selection. He had contended that selection was made by a committee headed by president of State Redressal Commission.