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Allegations of irregularities and favouritism have surfaced in the recent recruitment process for 17 posts, including JOA-IT, Clerk and Reporter, in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.
In response to these allegations, a formal complaint has been lodged with the Himachal Pradesh Vigilance Department, urging an in-depth investigation into the selection process.
Opposition BJP leaders have warned that if no action was taken, they would escalate the matter both politically and legally.
Former Deputy Advocate General too lodges complaint
Former Himachal Pradesh Deputy Advocate General and Himachal Pradesh High Court lawyer Vinay Sharma has also filed a complaint with the Vigilance Department.
Sharma, who has been vocal about the alleged irregularities through social media, has demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. In his complaint, he alleged that 44 posts were filled in the Vidhan Sabha, with significant irregularities and backdoor entries.
According to Sharma, nearly 35 of these appointments were made from just three Assembly constituencies, many of which included close associates of the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, such as his personal assistant and the son of his wife’s driver, and Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania.
Speaker ‘under fire’ over statement on future appointments
Sharma further stated that the Speaker had openly promised during a camera interview that future appointments would prioritise local candidates from specific constituencies, reinforcing the notion of manipulation in the process.
Sharma pointed out that top candidates who had performed well in the recruitment exam were overlooked, with jobs instead being given to favoured individuals. He urged for legal action against the responsible parties.
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the government of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of engaging in nepotism and violating merit-based selection norms.
BJP MLA levels serious allegations
During a press conference in Shimla recently, BJP MLA from Shri Naina Devi, Randhir Sharma, criticised the government’s handling of the recruitment, the results of which were declared on January 31.
Sharma alleged that the appointments were unfairly distributed among close associates of the Chief Minister, the Assembly Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. He claimed that the CM’s aides were given priority over more qualified candidates, and that relatives of Assembly officials secured jobs through backdoor appointments.
He alleged that among those selected were a driver’s son and a social media in-charge, bypassing merit-based selections.
Speaker’s defends recruitment process
When approached by news channel News18 in Shimla for a comment, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chose not to respond. However, Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania defended the recruitment process, asserting that all appointments were made transparently and that no irregularities had taken place.
