Major administrative reshuffle on cards after panchayat elections

Close on the heels of Chief Secretary Anurag Verma’s removal from his office, a major administrative reshuffle is on the cards in the state right after the panchayat elections on October 15.

Confirming the development, a highly placed source in the office of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “The changes will definitely be in place by Diwali. And the total number of officers can be more than 25 because the transfer list will also include top-level police officers.”

The development comes close on the heels of shunting out of the close circle of CM Bhagwant Mann’s media team. This was followed by the appointment of retired IRS officers Arbind Modi and Sebastian James as Advisers (Fiscal Affairs).

The information provider said, “Making changes in the middle of five-year term looks strange, but we want to show people that we will not compromise on our promise of clean and people friendly administration besides getting right people for the right jobs. It is not just a case of non-delivery. It is also of corruption in certain cases.”

He said, “The changes will not only be among the officers. We have also found discrepancies in the conduct of certain ministers. There are serious corruption charges, so they will have to go.”

Local Bodies Minister Balkar Singh, Investment Promotion Minister Anmol Gagan Maan, Revenue Minister Brahm Shankar Jimpa and Irrigation Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra were moved out from their offices in September-end.

Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said the appointment of two external financial advisers raised questions on the AAP government’s capability.

In a post on X, Bajwa said: “As I’ve said before, @ArvindKejriwal takeover of Punjab’s governance is unfolding in plain sight. With Punjab ministers being summoned to Delhi and CM @BhagwantMann sidelined, Kejriwal’s control is now absolute. With two more of Mann’s close aides resigning, it’s evident that Punjab is under siege by Delhi-centric control. But the people of Punjab have never accepted being dictated to by Delhi, and they won’t start now.”

The Shiromani Akali Dal also said that CM Bhgawant Mann was being sidelined by the Delhi power centre.

Reacting to Opposition charges, the CM’s office said, “None of the changes in the Cabinet or the state administration have been made without approval of our Chief Minister. In fact, remembering the public mandate for us in the name of CM Mann, we cannot think of having a government without him.”