Sunil Saraogi Steps Down as OSD to Chief Minister Tamang; Sikkim High Court Resolves PIL Over Appointment
Sunil Saraogi has stepped down from his post as Officer on Special Duty( OSD) to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. The news comes after the Sikkim High Court resolved a Public Interest Action( PIL) filed against his appointment. This is a significant development in the political sphere of Sikkim.
1. Background of the appointment contestation
The appointment of Sunil Saraogi as Officer on Special Duty( OSD) to Chief Minister Tamang in Sikkim wasn’t without controversy. In the months leading up to the appointment, there were allegations of favoritism and nepotism being thrown around. Some suspected that Saraogi’s appointment wasn’t grounded on merit, but rather on his connections with those in power.
Despite the contestation, Saraogi was appointed as OSD to the CM in October of last term. This move didn’t sit well with many in the state, leading to a Public Interest Action( PIL) being filed in the Sikkim High Court challenging the appointment. The appointment contest didn’t die down, with several public figures and politicians speaking out against the appointment, demanding answers as to why Saraogi was chosen for the role over other campaigners.
This led to a growing sentiment of uneasiness in the state, with some indeed calling for demurrers and demonstrations. The appointment contest had reached its peak, and it sounded that commodities demanded to be done to quell the uneasiness in Sikkim. Ultimately, Sunil Saraogi stepped down from the position of OSD to the Chief Minister. This decision came shortly after the Sikkim High Court resolved the PIL over Saraogi’s appointment, which we will discuss in the following section.
2. The appointment of Sunil Saraogi as OSD to CM Tamang 
The appointment of Sunil Saraogi as Officer on Special Duty( OSD) to Chief Minister Tamang came under controversy due to his alleged lack of qualification for the position. Saraogi, who had previously served as the Chief Secretary of Sikkim, was appointed as OSD by the Chief Minister in January 2021. Still, his appointment was challenged in a Public Interest Action( PI L) filed in the Sikkim High Court by a group of citizens, who questioned the legitimacy of the appointment.
The PIL contended that Saraogi didn’t meet the needed criteria for the post and that his appointment was in violation of the rules and regulations. The government defended the appointment, stating that Saraogi had been appointed in the interest of the state and that he’d the necessary experience and moxie to serve as OSD to the Chief Minister. The court also took up the matter for consideration.
The appointment of Saraogi as OSD was a largely controversial decision that sparked a debate over the selection process for top- position movables in the state government. The appointment of officers to elderly positions grounded on political considerations has been a longstanding issue in the state, and Saraogi’s appointment added energy to the fire. As the matter continued to be battled in the court of law, Sunil Saraogi decided to step down from his position as OSD to CM Tamang.
His decision to abdicate from the post came after the Sikkim High Court passed a verdict on the PIL that was filed against his appointment. The controversy surrounding Saraogi’s appointment as OSD has stressed the need for lesser translucency and responsibility in the selection process for elderly- position movables in the state government. It remains to be seen what way will be taken by the government to ensure that similar movables are made grounded on merit and in the interest of the people of Sikkim.
3. PIL filed in Sikkim High Court over Saraogi’s appointment 
Soon after Sunil Saraogi was appointed as OSD to Chief Minister Tamang in Sikkim, a public interest action( PIL) was filed in the Sikkim High Court challenging his appointment. The PIL questioned the legitimacy and ethics of the appointment of an OSD who was also the Chief Minister’s family- in- law.
The supplicant in the case argued that Sunil Saraogi’s appointment violated the principles of translucency and meritocracy. They contended that similar movables frequently give rise to conflicts of interest and can lead to abuse of power. The case entered a lot of attention from the media and the public, who were nearly following the legal battle over Saraogi’s appointment.
The PIL also refocused that the appointment of OSDs has become a common practice in numerous countries, leading to a culture of cronyism and nepotism in the government. The supplicant called for stricter guidelines and regulations for similar movables to help abuse of power. The Sikkim High Court heard the arguments put forth by both the supplicant and the state government and eventually arrived at a decision regarding the appointment contestation.
4. Sikkim High Court’s decision on the PIL
In response to the PIL filed over Sunil Saraogi’s appointment as OSD to Chief Minister Tamang, the Sikkim High Court has eventually resolved the contestation. The PIL claimed that Saraogi’s appointment was in violation of rules and regulations as he didn’t meet the necessary qualifications and had a conflict of interest due to his former business ties with the Chief Minister.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the Sikkim High Court decided that the appointment was indeed in violation of the rules and regulations governing similar movables. The court cited several irregularities in the process, including a lack of translucency and the bypassing of obligatory concurrence procedures. The court further stated that Saraogi’s appointment created an implicit conflict of interest and wasn’t in the stylish interest of the public.
Overall, the Sikkim High Court’s decision was seen as a palm for those who had raised enterprises over Saraogi’s appointment. It affirmed the significance of following proper procedures and icing translucency in government movables . This decision is anticipated to set a precedent for unborn movables in the state and may lead to further scrutiny of similar movables.
5. Sunil Saraogi steps down from the position of OSD to CM Tamang
Following the recent controversy regarding his appointment as OSD to Chief Minister Tamang, Sunil Saraogi has officially stepped down from the position. This move comes after a PIL was filed in the Sikkim High Court, challenging the legitimacy of Saraogi’s appointment. While the court’s decision eventually upheld the appointment, Saraogi decided to step down from his position as OSD to avoid any further conflict or contestation.
In a statement, he expressed his gratitude for the occasion to serve the people of Sikkim and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the state government’s efforts towards progress and development. This decision by Sunil Saraogi highlights the significance of translucency and responsibility in the government, and serves as a memorial that public officers must be held to the loftiest norms of integrity and ethics.
It also showcases the strength of the Indian bar, which was suitable to resolve the PIL in a timely and fair manner, icing justice for all parties involved. Moving forward, it’s pivotal that the state government continues to prioritize translucency and fairness in all of its conduct, to make trust and confidence among the citizens of Sikkim.
The decision by Sunil Saraogi to step down from his position serves as a positive illustration of how officers can take responsibility for their conduct and put the interests of the people first.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the contest regarding the appointment of Sunil Saraogi as OSD to Chief Minister Tamang has been resolved with Saraogi stepping down from the position. The Sikkim High Court’s decision on the PIL brought against the appointment has set a precedent for the unborn movables in the state of Sikkim. It’s essential that similar movables are made following due process and are free from any contestation to maintain the translucency and integrity of the popular system.
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