The Uttarakhand High Court has sought a response from the state government within four weeks regarding a petition challenging the allocation of multiple portfolios to senior IAS officer Brijesh Kumar Sant. The court has also issued a notice to Sant in connection with the matter.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Pankaj Purohit was hearing a plea filed by the Uttarakhand Taxi Maxi Federation. The petition raised concerns over Sant’s management of nearly half a dozen critical portfolios, alleging that it has caused administrative delays and unresolved public grievances.
According to the petition, Sant is overseeing two mining-related departments while also holding key roles in the transport sector, including Transport Secretary, Transport Commissioner, Chairman of the State Transport Authority (STA), and Financial Advisor of Roadways.
The petitioners argued that the role of STA Chairman demands impartiality and a lack of conflicts of interest. They urged the court to direct the government to reassign some of these responsibilities to other officials, asserting that such a step would enhance departmental efficiency and address public issues more effectively.
The High Court’s intervention marks a significant step in addressing concerns over administrative efficiency and conflict of interest in the allocation of government responsibilities.
