Shimla: In a significant development, the Himachal Pradesh High Court, in response to a petition filed by Maya Ram Sharma and others, has granted interim stay on further proceedings related to the fresh selection policy for Block Resource Centre Coordinators (BRCCs).
The policy, issued by the respondents on October 18, 2023, disqualifies individuals who have previously served as BRCCs from reapplying for the position.
During the hearing on November 29, 2023 by the high court division bench of Chief Justice of HP High Court, M.S. Ramachandra Rao and the Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, granted the stay.
Mr. Ganesh Barowalia, Advocate, represented the petitioners, while Mr. Anup Rattan, Advocate General, along with Additional Advocate Generals Mr. Rakesh Dhaulta and Mr. Pranay Pratap Singh, and Deputy Advocate Generals Mr. Arsh Rattan and Mr. Sidharth Jalta, appeared for respondents No. 1 to 4. Mr. Balram Sharma, Deputy Solicitor General of India, represented respondent No. 5.
The court, led by Mr. Arsh Rattan, Deputy Advocate General, and Mr. Balram Sharma, Deputy Solicitor General of India, accepted the notice on behalf of respondents No. 1 to 4 and respondent No. 5, respectively.
The court expressed prima facie concern that the decision to disqualify former BRCCs from reapplying for the position, as per the policy dated October 18, 2023, is arbitrary and may violate Article 14 of the Constitution of India.
As a result, the High Court has ordered an interim stay on all further proceedings related to the notification issued on October 18, 2023.