Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, passed a unanimous resolution on Sunday seeking an immediate stay on the appointment and oath-taking of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The state executive affirmed that the notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice bypassed mandatory constitutional consultations outlined under Para 6 of the Memorandum of Procedure, which requires obtaining and considering the state government’s official views prior to final presidential approval.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann maintained that the rapid notification represents a breach of federal conventions and established judicial appointment protocols. The state administration pointed to past precedents, including the delayed processing of Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia’s elevation in 2024 while awaiting state feedback, to highlight concerns over inconsistent application of procedural norms when handling appointments related to Punjab.
Beyond the judicial elevation issue, the official cabinet statement referenced broader financial and administrative grievances involving the Union Government. These include the non-disbursement of over 9,000 crore rupees in Rural Development Fund dues, the withholding of a promised 1,600 crore rupee flood relief package from 2025, structural rule alterations in the Bhakra Beas Management Board, and central proposals regarding Panjab University.
The Punjab Cabinet formally requested that the central government suspend all further elevation proceedings until the state’s official stance is thoroughly evaluated, asserting that adhering to collaborative consultative steps remains essential for maintaining institutional balance within the federal structure.
