Ranchi, Sept 15: The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to file its counter affidavit by September 18 in a case challenging the cancellation of appointments made through the 11th and 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations.
The court declined the state government’s request for four weeks’ time to file its response and fixed September 18 as the next date of hearing.
The matter relates to petitions challenging government notifications that cancelled appointments of candidates selected through the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations.
Following an interim order of the High Court, the petitioners and other employees appointed through the two examinations have been allowed to continue in their respective posts despite the government’s cancellation orders.
The High Court had on August 20 stayed the operation of the government notifications cancelling the appointments of the selected candidates.
The court had also granted similar interim protection in relation to the cancellation of appointments of food safety officers.
The government had sought additional time to place its stand before the court, but the bench directed it to submit the counter affidavit within the shorter deadline.
The case is being closely watched by candidates and government employees whose appointments were affected by the state’s decision. The court’s next hearing on September 18 is expected to consider the government’s response to the petitions and the continuation of the interim protection.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of concerns and allegations surrounding irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand and subsequent government action affecting appointments made through various selection processes.
