HSSC legal team alleges ‘harassment,’ hostile work conditions

Chandigarh: In a first incident of its kind, the legal team of the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) has opened a front against authorities in the Commission, alleging that it was subject to harassment and inadequate treatment by the concerned authorities at the highest level in the commission.In a 2-page complaint to the additional chief secretary (ACS), Home Department, the district attorneys and additional district attorneys categorically sought immediate intervention while seeking an in-depth probe by an independent authority. As per sources, the district attorney and public prosecutors deployed in various districts expressed their solidarity with the aggrieved legal staff and reiterated their intent to take the fight to its logical end.
"Working atmosphere for law officers in the HSSC has become deeply distressing and professionally demoralising owing to the persistent conduct and administrative functioning of the chairman, which resulted in mental harassment, intimidation, and misuse of authority. Despite discharging our duties sincerely, independently, and strictly in accordance with law, we were subjected to humiliating treatment, coercive supervision, and unwarranted interference in professional functioning," the complaint began, adding that "the repeated use of insulting, demeaning, and aggressive language in official interactions caused severe emotional stress and seriously eroded our professional dignity."The aggrieved officers also listed a number of sequences and events where they were allegedly subjected to such treatment, and gave the example of a senior district attorney who, according to them, put in papers after alleged harassment and humiliation. The complaint elaborated on how the officers were subjected to inadequate treatment and were burdened with responsibilities to shift bulky files and documents on their own.Meanwhile, when reached out to the office of the ACS Home, the officials confirmed they received the complaint, adding that it was under scrutiny. When contacted, Himmat Singh, the Chairman of HSSC, categorically reasoned that the initiatives taken by the commission to reduce litigation in the Punjab and Haryana high court and the apex court resulted in such allegations."We have the interest of lakhs of candidates in our mind. As of now, we have around 2,700 litigations and over 120 contempts pending in various courts. There were examples where written replies were not filed for 4 years despite repeated warnings by the court. We are just streamlining the system. We are open to any probe as demanded and will cooperate with the probing agency," said Himmat Singh. "We are moving on the right track to ensure maximum employment drives by reducing litigations," he added. MSID: 128884800 413 |