https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Himachal Pradesh High Court Orders Govt to Reconsider Denial of Promotion to Eligible Agriculture Officer

Justice Sandeep Sharma, presiding over the case, expressed surprise and concern that the petitioner - the only eligible candidate for promotion - was denied the post merely because the tenure would have been short.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Shimla: In a significant judgment, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to reconsider the promotion of an eligible departmental officer who was denied elevation to the post of Director of Agriculture, despite being recommended by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC).

Justice Sandeep Sharma, presiding over the case, expressed surprise and concern that the petitioner – the only eligible candidate for promotion – was denied the post merely because the tenure would have been short. The Court set aside the government’s order dated April 17, 2025, which had rejected the DPC’s recommendation.

The Court observed that the reason cited by the government – ongoing departmental projects and the short tenure of the petitioner – was unjustified. It stated that administrative continuity cannot override service rules, particularly when the recruitment regulations stipulate that the post of Director of Agriculture is to be filled 100% through promotion.

The petitioner argued that the DPC, comprising the Chief Secretary, Finance Commissioner, and Secretary of the Department, had unanimously recommended his name. However, the recommendation was rejected by the Minister in charge of the Personnel Department, citing that an IAS officer was already handling important projects as the current Director.

The government’s counsel defended the decision, stating that DPC recommendations are not binding and that promotion is not an absolute right, especially when larger public interest is at stake. They contended that the ongoing projects required continuity under the present IAS officer.

The petitioner’s counsel countered that the posting of an IAS officer to a post reserved for promotion violates service norms, and that denying a deserving candidate promotion on the grounds of project continuity is arbitrary and unfair.

Justice Sharma, while delivering the verdict, directed the government to reconsider the DPC recommendation within 15 days and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.

This judgment is being seen as a reaffirmation of the sanctity of promotion norms and service rules in civil services, especially where administrative discretion could override merit-based promotions.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Eco Development Committees Are Transforming Pilibhit Tiger Reserve into Model for Eco-Tourism and Rural Employment - All Details Inside
pseb1
PESB Opens Applications for Key Director Posts at Hindustan Shipyard, IRCON, & Munitions India Ltd - Details Inside
Engineers India Limited EIL Engineers India Ltd (EIL)
Engineers India Ltd (EIL) Facilitates Major Upgrade at Dabhol LNG Terminal, Now an All-Weather Port Boosting India’s Energy Security
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd
GRSE Signs Strategic MoUs with European Firms from Sweden, Denmark & Germany to Boost Marine Propulsion & Vessel Manufacturing
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
Maharashtra: 10 State Forest Officers Promoted to Indian Forest Service (IFS) Under 2021 Select List - Check Full List Here
DoPT-resized
DoPT Revises Ceiling Policy: Centre Enhances Central Deputation Allowance for AIS, Group A Officers Under Central Staffing Scheme
Kerala_govt_resized
Kerala: Govt Reshuffles Senior IAS Officers, Creates Ex-Cadre Post; Puneet Kumar Made Resident Commissioner, Kerala House, Delhi
Powergrid PEC MoU
Education-Industry Synergy: POWERGRID Signs MoU with PEC Chandigarh to Establish Rs 17 Cr Centre of Excellence
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Divyanshu Pal Nagar IFS
5 Years, 5 Mains, 4 Interviews: How Divyanshu Pal Nagar Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS - A Lesson for Every Aspirant
Divyanshu Pal Nagar’s inspiring five-year UPSC journey shows how perseverance, disciplined self-study,...
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
Social Media
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Eco Development Committees Are Transforming Pilibhit Tiger Reserve into Model for Eco-Tourism and Rural Employment - All Details Inside
pseb1
PESB Opens Applications for Key Director Posts at Hindustan Shipyard, IRCON, & Munitions India Ltd - Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT