High Court Warns Punjab Govt Of Coercive Action If Vacant Post Of State Information Commissioner Is Not Filled In Time

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has warned the Punjab Government of coercive action if the post of State Information Commissioner is not filed in time.

The State counsel assured that the process of selection to the two posts of State Information Commissioner is underway and shall be concluded latest by December 15. 

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal noted that the present plea is the second round of litigation after disposal of two the earlier writ petitions, wherein the Punjab Government was directed to conclude the process of selection, preferably, by August 30.

"This Court deems it appropriate to keep this petition pending to ensure compliance which was assured by learned State counsel failing which this Court may take coercive steps against any of the functionaries of the State of Punjab," said the Court.

Previously, the Punjab Government submitted that three out of five posts of the State Information Commissioners in the Punjab State Information Commission were filled up in the month of August, 2024, while the process of filling up remaining two posts is ongoing.

The matter is listed for December 16, for further consideration.

Title: Parvinder Singh Kittna v. State of Punjab and others

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