Chandigarh, September 17: The Punjab Cabinet on Friday gave the go-ahead for the appointment of Gursher Singh as Excise and Taxation Inspector on compassionate grounds, in one-time relaxation without the case being treated as a precedent.
It is to be noted that Gursher Singh is the son-in-law of Punjab state cabinet minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar.
The appointment is seen being taken on compassionate grounds.
Amarinder Singh has been embroiled in controversy earlier on the appointment of two sons of MLAs in government service, which were later denied by them.
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Meanwhile, MLA Pargat Singh has condemned the decision saying that he had protested on this earlier jobs cannot be given only to wealthy families. The Personnel Department of the Government of Punjab also objected to providing the job to the minister's son-in-law and the issue would be taken up before the cabinet.
Chairing the VC meeting of the Cabinet, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh noted that Gursher’s father, Bhupjit, had played a major role in blowing the whistle in the Ravi Sidhu PPSC scam to clean up the Punjab Public Service Commission.
Bhupjit Singh, who was posted as Excise and Taxation Officer in the Excise and Taxation department, died on September 28, 2011. At that time, his son Gursher Singh had just completed his Graduation in Commerce. As per the official records, Jasbir Kaur w/o Late Bhupjit Singh, vide her application dated June 26, 2020, (8 years after her husband’s death) had requested employment in favour of her son Gursher Singh.
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As per Government Policy dated November 21, 2002, and amendment vide letter dated December 28, 2005, the heirs of the deceased employee/officer have to apply for employment within one year from the date of death. The policy also clarifies that if there is a genuine cause for delay, the application of the candidate can be considered up to a delay of 5 years after obtaining special approval from the Personnel Department, citing reasons for the delay in detail.
Also, Gursher Singh’s qualification is Bachelor of Commerce, which is beneficial for the post of Excise and Tax Inspector. Given, the qualification of the candidate and the contribution made by Bhupjit Singh, Excise and Taxation Officer during his tenure, the applicant has been considered for the post of Excise and Taxation Inspector, and the Cabinet has decided to make an exceptional on special grounds.