Following CAT Chandigarh’s instruction, the DoPT, which reports to the Union Ministry of Personnel, has ordered the appointment of Ashwani Kumar Gupta, former Haryana additional director, to the Indian Administrative Service. The officer has been appointed as Additional Managing Director of HSIIDC, his first position as a lAS officer.
The state government had five IAS vacancies for non-State Civil Service (SCS) officers, and Gupta’s name was suggested for the 2019 select list. However, a delay in communication resulted in his exclusion. Despite Gupta’s retirement, the CAT bench found that the Union Personnel Ministry’s challenge was not valid. The national government has now been directed to review Gupta’s appointment, starting with the date his juniors were enrolled into the IAS cadre. On January 23, DoPT issued directives for Gupta’s appointment, declaring him notionally appointed to the IAS cadre of Haryana from the select list date, with associated benefits.