Delhi HC rejects PIL on government move on key appointments
A minister can appoint anyone they want, says court.
New Delhi: The Delhi high court dismissed a plea of an NGO challenging the BJP-led NDA government’s decision to keep away those who occupied those positions during 10 years of the previous UPA regime from appointment as private secretaries, principal private secretaries and officers on special duty.
Rubbishing the NGO’s contention that “This is an attempt to politicise the bureaucracy”, the court said “a minister can appoint anyone they want”. Now the appointments have also been made, so nothing will happen till next election.”
A bench of justices B.D. Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar questioned the NGO counsel for dubbing the June 19, 2014, circular as a “political move”, saying it can be the other way round. “We read (circular) it as giving chance to other people. You have been put in different work. It does not mean that you have been punished or branded as the party worker of the previous government. Enjoy your work at every place,” the bench said.