Appoint only meritorious persons to committees and commissions, HC tells T.N. govt.

Selection must be made beyond political affinities, aspirations and ideologies, says judge

The Madras High Court has impressed upon the need for the State government to appoint only meritorious women and men of integrity not only in all government institutions but also to various committees and commissions constituted by it for specific public purposes. Justice SM Subramaniam wrote: “all such selection and appointments are to be made beyond the political affinities, aspirations and ideologies.” He said merit and integrity would suffer if political parties in power continue to appoint "their own men" to significant posts. The judge said that selection and appointments must be made in a transparent manner by providing equal opportunity to all eligible women and men. When the merits of two or more candidates were found to be equal, then priority must be given to integrity and honesty.