The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government has called a Cabinet meeting at 4 pm on Sunday to discuss the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and decide its next course of action.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema made the announcement during a press conference in Jalandhar, where he raised questions over the procedure followed in finalising the appointment.
Cheema alleged that the Punjab Government was not given adequate time to place its views before the appointment was made. Referring to the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for the Appointment of Chief Justices, he said the provisions require the views of the Chief Minister and the elected state government to be taken into consideration.
According to Cheema, the matter concerning Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra came before the Punjab Government around two weeks ago, but the process was completed without providing sufficient time for the state government to respond.
He also referred to the 2024 case of Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, claiming that his proposed appointment as Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court was subsequently put on hold and that he was later appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
Cheema said the Punjab Cabinet would examine the matter and decide the government’s further course of action. He maintained that the state government’s concerns relate to the role of an elected government in the appointment process and adherence to established procedures.
Coal Shortage and Power Situation
During the press conference, Cheema also raised concerns over the availability of coal for thermal power plants. He claimed that several major plants across the country had around three days of coal stock remaining and warned that the shortage could worsen the power situation.
He blamed the Central Government for the alleged coal shortage and said the situation could put several major thermal power plants at risk of disruption.
Cheema Responds to Sachin Pilot’s Appointment
On Sachin Pilot’s appointment as Punjab Congress in-charge, Cheema said that changing the party’s leadership would not, in his view, address the problems facing the state unit.
He also criticised former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi over remarks concerning a recent incident involving the assault of a young man. Cheema said statements on such matters should be based on verified facts and claimed that action had already been taken against those accused.
The Punjab Cabinet meeting at 4 pm today is expected to determine the government’s next step on the appointment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice.