State Information Commissioner picks of Haryana govt. opposed by INLD

Controversy has erupted over the appointments of State Information Commissioners by the Haryana government with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) raising questions over their legality and seeking their immediate cancellation. A petition was also filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday by an advocate challenging the appointments.

Chief Information Commissioner TVSN Prasad, a former Chief Secretary, and four State Information Commissioners – Amarjit Singh (a retired Haryana Civil Service officer), Karamveer Saini, Neeta Khera and Sanjay Madan – were administered the oath of office and allegiance by Governor Bandaru Dattatreya on Monday.

Questioning the appointments, INLD State president Rampal Majra said the choice of Ms. Khera, a former Haryana Public Service Commission member from 2016-22, was in violation of Article 319 (D) of the Constitution, which prohibits appointment of the State Public Service Commission members to statutory posts. Earlier, Kulbir Chhikara, who was a member of HPSC from 2015-2021, was also made State Information Commissioner in 2023 in violation of this provision, said Mr. Majra.

The INLD leader also opposed the appointment of Priyanka Dhupar, who faces charges in connection with the gang rape of a minor girl from Assam during her time as a member of the Child Welfare Committee, Bhiwani. “The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Haryana Child Protection Commission had recommended suspension of Ms. Dhupar and legal action against her. In a case of money fraud, the Bhiwani Bar Association had also debarred her,” said Mr. Majra in a press statement. Ms. Dhupar, though named one of the five State Information Commissioners, was not invited for the oath ceremony.

Mr. Majra accused former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda of collusion with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party saying that he was part of the committee for selection as a representative of the Opposition, but did not raise any objections. Denying the charges, Mr. Hooda said it was for the scrutiny committee to decide on the eligibility of the candidates and if there is any violation of law, it must be examined.

Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana High Court advocate Jagmohan Singh Bhatti has sent a legal notice to Haryana Chief Secretary, among others, against the appointment of the five State Information Commissioners saying that it was violation of Section 15 (3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 since the committee must comprise the Leader of the Opposition, but the post was lying vacant since September 12, 2024.

Praveen Attrey, media secretary of the Haryana CM, told The Hindu that the appointments were made as per legal provisions and the government had taken legal opinion from the Advocate General in this connection. “We had written to the State Congress unit seeking the name of their leader for the purpose of representation in the committee, and the party had forwarded Mr. Hooda’s name,” said Mr. Attrey.

Published - May 28, 2025 10:08 am IST