Chandigarh: Senior IAS officer Amit Kumar Agrawal (Haryana cadre, 2003 batch) has been appointed as the Member Secretary of the High Powered Committee constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in connection with the ongoing farmers’ protests. The appointment comes as part of the Supreme Court’s directive in the case State of Haryana and Anr. vs Uday Pratap Singh and Others.
Mr. Agrawal, who is currently serving as Commissioner & Secretary for the Department of Development & Panchayats, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Cultural Affairs, and Foreign Cooperation Department, Haryana, will take on this additional charge with immediate effect. He relieves Shri Bhupinder Singh, IAS (Retired), who previously held the position.
The Supreme Court formed the High Powered Committee to examine the implications of farmers’ protests on public order, particularly the obstruction of National Highways. The Court is striving to strike a balance between the farmers’ constitutional right to protest and the necessity to ensure uninterrupted public access to essential services and national infrastructure.
The Apex Court has emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations and urged all parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the conflict without causing disruption to the general public.
Mr. Agrawal’s appointment is expected to bring renewed administrative focus and coordination to the committee’s efforts in facilitating constructive engagement between the state and protesting farmers.
