ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Dec 19: The Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC)  in a representation to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh has sought his intervention to rectify what it terms as procedural lapses in the recent appointment of the Chairman and members of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).
The recent swearing-in ceremony, intended to mark the commencement of the tenure of the newly appointed Chairman and members of the APPSC, has raised eyebrows due to the absence of Professor Pradip Lingfa, the newly appointed Chairman, and Professor Ashan Riddi, a newly appointed member. This anomaly follows a backdrop of controversy surrounding a previous event on February 17, 2023, where the Chairman and members were prevented from taking oath, sparking public outcry, stated the PAJSC.
PAJSC further added that, the recent judgment by the Guwahati High Court (Case No. WP(C)/223/2023 and Case No. WP(C)/213/2023) clarifies that the appointment to the office of Member is complete upon issuance of the appointment order under Article 316(1). The swearing-in ceremony, according to the judgment, is for the determination of tenure and benefits, not a prerequisite for assuming office.
The appointments of Professor Pradip Lingfa and Professor Ashan Riddi as Chairman and member, respectively, violate Article 317(3)(b), as they are holding the "office of profit" while serving in APPSC. Moreover, the appointments also violate the eligibility criteria outlined in the government's advertisement dated April 28, 2023. Both appointees were holding the "office of profit" at the time of their appointments, contrary to the specified eligibility criteria, asserted PAJSC.
The Committee also claimed that, the Screening Committee, established by the Department of Administrative Reforms, and Raj Bhavan as the appointing authority, have overlooked gross violations of constitutional provisions in the selection and appointment process.
Further, PAJSC has urged the concerned authorities to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the whole process of formation of a new Chairman and Members of APPSC matter. The organization calls for corrective measures to uphold the principles of transparency, fairness, and adherence to constitutional provisions in the highest recruiting institution of the state.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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