Jharkhand High Court Pulls Up Ranchi DC Over Compassionate Appointment Delay

Ranchi: The Jharkhand high court on Tuesday pulled up the Ranchi deputy commissioner (DC) for not following an order of compassionate appointment issued by the principal secretary-cum-labour commissioner in a case involving Rupesh Ranjan.

The court has ordered both the officers to appear in person on May 5 in a contempt proceeding filed by Ranjan.

Ranjan had sought appointment on compassionate grounds after the death of his father Rajkumar Ram, who was an employee in the labour department, and had filed a petition before the high court in this regard. The high court ordered the labour department to provide appointment to Ranjan within six months.

The principal secretary, labour commissioner in compliance of the high court order on April 30, 2019 directed the Ranchi deputy commissioner who also heads the Compassionate Appointment Committee to consider the case and grant him appointment.

Despite the order passed by the labour commissioner, the Ranchi DC did not follow it following which Ranjan moved a contempt petition before the HC.

The court, while hearing the petition, observed that the deputy commissioner ought to have complied with the direction of the principal secretary-cum-labour commissioner who is higher in post and designation.

The court directed the govt to inform what action has been taken against the Ranchi DC for non-compliance of an order of a senior officer.