Bengaluru: The high court Thursday ordered the issuance of notices to the state govt and Congress’ Anekal MLA B Shivanna in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the latter’s nomination as chairperson of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).A division bench comprising Justices Anu Sivaraman and KS Bharath Kumar directed the respondents to file their response to the petition filed by Sudha Katwa, a Bengaluru-based advocate.According to the petitioner, KSPCB rules prescribe a selection committee process, open advertisement in at least three national newspapers and recommendation of three suitable candidates. The petitioner alleged that compliance with the mandatory steps had not been demonstrated in Shivanna’s case.The Water Act requires the chairperson of KSPCB to possess special knowledge or practical experience in environmental protection and it was doubtful whether the requisite qualifications were established before Shivanna’s nomination, the petitioner added.Selection process questionedHC Thursday ordered notices to the state govt and others in response to a petition challenging the appointment of Venkataramanaswamy SV as the state commissioner for persons with disabilities.Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav directed the respondents to file their response within 10 days, while adding that the appointment of Venkataramanaswamy will be subject to the result of this petition.Praveen Ullagaddi, a resident of Mudalgi, Belagavi district, and an aspirant to the post, had filed the petition, stating the appointment was made through an opaque, arbitrary and non-transparent selection process and without disclosure of the constitution of a search committee.
