States » NorthPosted at: Nov 11 2026 1:05PM


Himachal appoints Pankaj Rai as HPERC Chairperson on High Court deadline

Shimla, Nov 11 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh government has appointed senior IAS officer Pankaj Rai as Chairperson of the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC), completing the long-pending selection process in compliance with the directions of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
Rai's appointment notified on the last date specified by the court November 10, the government has brought the prolonged uncertainty over the appointment of the HPERC Chairperson to an end.
The Department of MPP and Power issued the appointment notification late Tuesday evening, November 10, following the High Court's direction to complete the process by the stipulated deadline.
The notification issued maintains that Rai will hold the office for five years or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
His tenure will commence from the date he assumes charge.
He will, however, have to get himself relieved from his present post and department before joining as HPERC Chairperson.
He is currently serving as Deputy Director (Administration) at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.
Rai, a senior IAS officer, has held several important administrative assignments in Himachal Pradesh. His previous postings include Deputy Commissioner of Bilaspur and Lahaul-Spiti districts, Commissioner of the Shimla Municipal Corporation and Mission Director of the National Health Mission.
The appointment follows a prolonged dispute over the selection to the regulatory body's top position, which had reached the High Court after the state government rejected the selection committee's recommendations.
On September 14, 2025, the selection committee had recommended a panel of two IAS officers, Pankaj Rai and Rajiv Sood, for the post.
The government subsequently turned down the panel however
Rai challenged the decision before the High Court.
While hearing the matter, the High Court set aside the government's decision of rejecting the panel and directed it to complete the appointment process in accordance with the selection committee's recommendations. The court had fixed November 10, 2026, as the deadline for finalising the appointment.
UNI BN
Tags: #Himachal appoints Pankaj Rai as HPERC Chairperson on High Court deadline
More News

Panchkula explores integrated AgroStack platform to link farmers' land records, crop data and credit facilities

11 Nov 2026 | 2:45 PM

Panchkula, Nov 11 (UNI) Panchkula is working towards an integrated digital agricultural database under AgroStack to link farmers' identities with land records, crop details, government schemes, credit facilities and insurance services, with the aim of improving farm productivity and enhancing farmers' income.

see more..

Azad Samaj Party and AIMIM to join hands for UP polls

11 Nov 2026 | 2:39 PM

Lucknow, Nov 11 (UNI) Azad Samaj Party led by Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad and AIMIM of Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi are set to join hands to contest the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls in an alliance.

see more..

Haryana BJP president Archana Gupta calls for statewide booth-level outreach during SIR

11 Nov 2026 | 2:19 PM

By Kamlesh kali
Panchkula, Nov 11 (UNI) Haryana BJP president Dr Archana Gupta has called for an intensive, state-wide outreach campaign at the booth level to safeguard the voting rights of every eligible citizen during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that no genuine voter should be excluded due to procedural difficulties, lack of awareness or circumstances beyond their control.

see more..

Panchkula Youth Festival on November 19–20; cash prizes up to Rs 41,000 announced

11 Nov 2026 | 2:13 PM

Panchkula, Nov 11 (UNI) The Department of Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Haryana, will organise the District Youth Festival Panchkula 2026 on November 19 and 20 at Government Post Graduate College for Women, Sector 14, under the theme ‘Drug-Free Youth, Developed India’.

see more..

Himachal appoints Pankaj Rai as HPERC Chairperson on High Court deadline

11 Nov 2026 | 1:05 PM

Shimla, Nov 11 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh government has appointed senior IAS officer Pankaj Rai as Chairperson of the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC), completing the long-pending selection process in compliance with the directions of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

see more..