Chandigarh, September 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has objected to the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court without the state government’s views being obtained and considered.
The Cabinet, at its meeting on Sunday, criticised the BJP-led Central government for allegedly bypassing constitutional provisions and established procedure. It resolved that the appointment and administration of oath should be kept on hold until Punjab’s views are obtained and duly considered by the competent authority.
The Chief Minister’s Office alleged that Punjab’s constitutional rights had been repeatedly undermined by the Centre, citing issues related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Panjab University, Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues and flood relief.
The Cabinet said the Centre had changed BBMB rules by removing the traditional convention under which the Member (Power) was selected from Punjab. It also alleged that the proposed centralisation of Panjab University was being pursued despite opposition from the state.
The state government further claimed that more than Rs 9,000 crore in RDF dues remained unpaid and that the Rs 1,600-crore relief package announced by the Prime Minister after the devastating floods of 2025 had not yet been disbursed to Punjab.
On the High Court appointment, the Cabinet referred to the Memorandum of Procedure for appointment and transfer of Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts. It said Paragraph 6 provides for obtaining the state government’s views after the recommendation of the Chief Justice of India before the proposal proceeds through the Union government and the President.
According to the state government, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra’s appointment as Chief Justice on August 6. Punjab received a letter from Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on August 12 seeking the state’s views under Paragraph 6 of the procedure.
The Cabinet alleged that the Union government subsequently notified the appointment without waiting for Punjab’s response. It also pointed out that no specific time limit was prescribed for the state or Governor to communicate their recommendation in such appointments.
The Cabinet cited the 2024 case of Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, saying his proposed appointment as Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court was not notified for more than two months while the recommendation of the Madhya Pradesh government was awaited. His proposed appointment was subsequently changed to the Himachal Pradesh High Court, it said.
The Punjab Cabinet said the developments had created a perception of unequal treatment and urged the Centre to ensure transparency, procedural propriety and adherence to the prescribed process.
It reiterated that the appointment and administration of oath should remain on hold until Punjab’s views are obtained and considered, after which the matter should proceed according to the Memorandum of Procedure.
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