Punjab flip-flops again, withdraws officer’s name

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 16

Making a record of sorts, the Punjab Government has again withdrawn the name of an officer from the panel sent to the Chandigarh Administration for appointment on deputation.

This is the sixth time in the recent past that Punjab has “dodged” the UT Administration, which now finds itself helpless over the repeated flip-flop of the government.

Sources said this time Punjab had withdrawn the name of Varun Roojam, whose name was sent for the post of Special Secretary, Finance.

Within 15 days of clearing his name, Punjab has now conveyed to the Administration that his name should be treated as withdrawn due to “administrative exigencies”.

The decision has left the UT perplexed as it had already recommended his name for appointment. The Punjab Government had sent Varun Roojam’s name after withdrawing the name of senior IAS officer KK Yadav. The Administration had selected Yadav from the panel sent by Punjab and had recommended his name to the MHA. However, before a decision was taken, his name was withdrawn. The same thing happened in the case of the post of Finance Secretary when Punjab sent a panel of officers twice. The Congress government withdrew the panel soon after taking over charge. This also happened in the case of the panel for SSP when Punjab recalled the panel when one of the officers faced an inquiry.* Badnore rejects Kapoor's name Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore has rejected the name of Ashish Kapoor for the post of ADC. Sources said Badnore had asked the Punjab Government to send a panel of directly recruited IPS officers for the post. He has conveyed to the government that the incumbent, Raj Bachan Singh Sandhu, will continue to serve as ADC till a new appointment.