After Delhi setback, AAP government in Punjab implements major reshuffle

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Following the AAP government's defeat in Delhi, the Punjab government has quickly shifted into action, making a series of significant decisions. On Friday, the government took back the Administrative Reforms Department from Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and sought the resignations of all officers in the Advocate General's Department who are involved in fighting government cases. In addition, 21 IPS officers, including nine district police chiefs, were transferred.

Earlier reports suggested that all lawyers from the Advocate General's office had been asked to resign, but it was later clarified that only the team working under the Advocate General had been requested to step down. Departmental sources confirmed that all members of the team had been asked to submit their resignations by Monday. Of the total 236 members, 62 have reportedly already resigned. Eight members have been assigned cases to be handled in the Supreme Court and other locations in Delhi. Advocate General Gurinder Singh Gary clarified that the tenure of all these officials had ended on February 10, and after further orientation, they would be reappointed. A new team of legal professionals is expected to be formed in the next 15 days, with an advertisement for these positions to be issued soon.

Traditionally, appointments to these positions are made for a year and extended until a change in government. However, the AAP government is now preparing a new legal team for the duration of its tenure, signaling the influence of the Delhi election results on its actions in Punjab. Additionally, important departments have been gradually removed from Cabinet Minister Dhaliwal, who now only oversees the NRI Affairs department, having previously handled Agriculture, Rural Development, and Panchayats.

There is also speculation among senior members of the Advocate General's office that lawyers from Delhi may be brought in to work in Punjab following the Delhi election outcome, which has led to some dissatisfaction within the legal team.

In another significant move, the Punjab government has transferred 21 IPS officers, including nine district police chiefs. Notably, Dr. Jyoti Yadav, the wife of Education Minister Harjot Bains, has been appointed as the new SSP of Khanna. Other key transfers include Dhanpreet Kaur, who becomes the new Police Commissioner of Jalandhar, and several officers reassigned to different roles, such as Swapan Sharma, who moves to DIG Ferozepur Range, and Nilambari Jagdale, who will serve as DIG Ludhiana Range.

Here’s a list of the recent IPS officer postings:

Sudhanshu Srivastava: ADGP Security Punjab, also ADGP Provisioning

Nilambari Jagdale: DIG Ludhiana Range

Swapan Sharma: DIG Ferozepur Range

Surinder Lamba: AIG Personnel

Charanjit Singh: AIG Intelligence, Mohali

Dayama Harish Kumar Om Prakash: AIG Intelligence, Mohali

Saumya Personal 2

Ravjot Grewal: AIG Technical Services, Punjab

Navneet Singh Bains: AIG Crime, Punjab

Ashwini Gotial: AIG H&D, Punjab

Randhir Kumar: ADC to the Governor

These changes reflect the government's continued efforts to restructure its departments and align them with the evolving political landscape.