The Punjab and Haryana High Court has firmly directed the Punjab government to appoint two State Information Commissioners by December 15, 2024, emphasizing the urgency of these roles in upholding transparency. The Bench, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, issued a clear warning: failure to meet this deadline could trigger forceful action against responsible state officials.
In a recent hearing, the Punjab government informed the court of significant progress, with a shortlist of candidates now under review. Despite previous court orders from August, which set a deadline of August 30 for these appointments, the state failed to complete the selection process. This led to a renewed petition, with the Court reiterating its position on the matter, maintaining oversight until the state delivers on its promise.
With the December 16 hearing date looming, the state now faces mounting pressure to finalize appointments and restore the operation of these critical oversight positions.