Finance
Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned on 9th March, days ahead of the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha election,
President Droupadi Murmu has accepted his resignation, effective 9th March, according to a statement from the Law Ministry.
The term of Mr. Goel ended in 2027. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar is now the only member of the Election Commission following his resignation. Anup Chandra Pandey, the Election Commissioner, retired in February.
There was criticism around Goel’s selection as election commissioner as well. On 18th November, 2022, he voluntarily retired from the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). His retirement was scheduled for 31st December, 2022. When Goel retired, he was working as the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ secretary.
Just one day after he voluntarily retired, the bureaucrat was named an election commissioner, which prompted the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) to petition the Supreme Court. The appointment was contested on the grounds that it was arbitrary and went against the Election Commission of India’s independence and institutional integrity. According to ADR, Goel’s decision to choose voluntary retirement before to being appointed as EC showed “remarkable foresight.”
Since a Constitution Bench of the court had already ruled in March of last year on the appointment of electoral commissions, the Supreme Court had dismissed the challenge in August of 2023.
Goel had previously served as vice-chairperson of the Delhi Development Authority and secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries when he voluntarily retired from the IAS.
Since a Constitution Bench of the court had already ruled in March of last year on the appointment of electoral commissions, the Supreme Court had dismissed the challenge in August of 2023.
Goel had previously served as vice-chairperson of the Delhi Development Authority and secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries when he voluntarily retired from the IAS.
“As Secretary, Heavy Industries, he catalysed E-vehicle movement in India to a tipping point. He implemented Production Linked Incentive scheme for auto Industry in a record time getting investments worth Rs 67,690 crore against target of Rs 42,500 crore and PLI for Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage getting manufacturing set up for 98 GW against target of 50 GW,” says Goel’s profile on the EC website.
While in the Punjab Government, Goel oversaw the masterplan of New Chandigarh as principal secretary and implemented “the much delayed power reforms”, the profile said. Goel, who was born in Patiala, has an MSc. in Mathematics.
Since a Constitution Bench of the court had already ruled in March of last year on the appointment of electoral commissions, the Supreme Court had dismissed the challenge in August of 2023.
At the time of taking voluntary retirement from the IAS, Goel was Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, having held the office of Culture Secretary and Delhi Development Authority vice-chairperson prior to that.
Source: IE
