INLD writes to EC, seeks removal of 're-employed' officials

The main opposition INLD in Haryana today sought the removal of "re-employed officers" from their posts in the state government to ensure that "no biases and prejudices" are witnessed in the upcoming Assembly elections.

In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, INLD General Secretary RS Chaudhary said that "INLD has been raising the issue of misuse of authority by the Chief Minister in giving extensions... And re-employing the retiring/retired officers of the government (sic)".

Assembly polls are due in Haryana on Oct. 15.

In the letter, the party has attached a list of names of officials, including of a number of retired IAS and IPS officers, who it alleged were "enjoying the CM's largesse".
 

"Needless to say the retention of such retired officers, that too in such large numbers... Obviously creates bias in favour of the ruling party and negates the process of holding free and fair elections," Chaudhary charges in the letter.

"All these re-employed officers should be removed from their government posts to ensure that no biases and prejudices are caused in the electoral process and to ensure a level playing field," the former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala- led party demandeds.

Notably, PV Rathee, who retired two years back as the Director General of Haryana CID and who was subsequently appointed as the Principal Advisor to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the Home Department, including CID, tendered his resignation today, official sources said.

Rathee's name was in the list submitted along with the letter by INLD to the CEC.