Court Quashes Himachal Pradesh Chief Parliamentary Secretaries' Appointments

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has nullified the appointment of six chief parliamentary secretaries, declaring the law under which they were appointed void. The court ordered the withdrawal of all facilities granted to these officials, citing the legislative competence issue with the 2006 Act.

In a significant decision impacting the current administration, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday quashed the appointment of six chief parliamentary secretaries (CPSs) by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The ruling also declared the underlying legislation facilitating these appointments as void.

The division bench comprising Justices Vivek Thakur and B C Negi instructed the immediate withdrawal of all facilities and privileges extended to these CPSs. This effectively nullifies the Himachal Pradesh Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, salaries, allowance, powers, privileges and Amendments) Act, 2006, labeling it beyond the state's legislative competence.

Justice Bipin Chander Negi emphasized the impermissibility of the CPSs' appointments, describing them as usurpations of public office. The ruling highlights the appointments' unconstitutionality and void status from their inception, stripping the appointees of office privileges with immediate effect.

(With inputs from agencies.)