Ram Subhag Singh appointed new chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh; Congress creates ruckus in assembly

SHIMLA: 1987 batch IAS officer Ram Subhag Singh has been appointed as the new chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh in place of 1986 batch IAS officer Anil Khachi who has been appointed as new State Election Commissioner after he sought retirement from service.
Issue of changing chief secretary resulted into noisy scenes inside state assembly on Thursday as the opposition Congress questioned the intentions of the state government.
A notification issued by additional chief secretary (Personnel) Prabodh Saxena stated that additional chief secretary Ram Subhag Singh, who was looking after industries, transport, labour and employment besides holding the charge of post of managing director (ropeways and rapid transport system development corporation Himachal Pradesh), has been appointed as the chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh with immediate effect.
Another notification stated that Governor of Himachal Pradesh has ordered the retirement of Anil Kumar Khachi, chief secretary to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, at his own request, with effect from the date he relinquishes the charge under the State Government, by relaxing the condition of three months prior notice under second proviso to the Rule 16(2) of All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.
Issue of changing the chief secretary rocked the proceedings of Himachal Pradesh assembly on Thursday. Leader of opposition Mukesh Agnihotri raised the issue. He sought clarification from the government,
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the opposition will not decide whom to appoint while Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar said that issue cannot be raised inside the House as appointment is the sole prerogative of the state government.
Raising point of order immediately after the question hour, Mukesh Agnihotri asked about the compelling circumstances that forced the government to change the Chief Secretary. Speaker later ruled that nothing would go on record but before that Congress had cresated ruckus inside the House and had staged walkout.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that this issue could not be raised in the Assembly. He said that House will not decide whom to appoint. He said that entire process has been completed as per constitutional arrangement as one post was lying vacant. He also objected to the statement of Mukesh Agnihotri categorizing the officers based on their domicile.
He said that it would be wrong to say that officer is from state or from outside the state as all belong to this country and are contributing in the development of state after clearing civil services examination.
While referring to the Chief Secretaries appointed as Advisor during previous Congress regime, Jai Ram Thakur said that unlike Congress, his government has appointed the Anil Kumar Khachi on a constitutional post where he would serve for 5 years having status equal to that of a High Court Judge.