PIL over appointments in Rajya Sabha Secretariat

HC seeks response from the Centre

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought response from the Centre on a PIL questioning the appointment of senior officers of the rank of joint secretary and above in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw also directed the RS Secretariat to file a response within eight weeks on the plea filed by an NGO challenging the validity of clause 6 (A) of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat (Methods of Recruitment and Qualifications for Appointment) Order, 2009.

"Notice issued to respondent number 2 (Rajya Sabha Secretariat) and 3 (Union of India, through Department of Personnel and Training). They shall file a short affidavit within eight weeks," the bench said, while posting the matter for July 15.

The PIL filed by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) through advocates Govindjee and Parnav Sachdeva had also sought an order directing an inquiry into all the appointments made in Rajya Sabha Secretariat since 2008.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had asked the petitioner to approach the high court first saying, "In case the court below refused to entertain your plea, then come to us."

Alleging that there is absence of rules, the petitioner also sought a direction to government to follow Lok Sabha Recruitment and Conditions of Service Orders, for making appointments, both through deputation and promotion, for the posts of joint secretary and above in the Rajya Sabha till the rules were framed.