Former CS tipped to head expenditure reforms panel

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 20

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has set in motion the process to appoint former Chief Secretary KR Lakhanpal as Chairman of the Expenditure Reforms Commission.

The CM is also learnt to have given his consent for the appointment of Lt Gen Tejinder Singh Shergill (retd) as his senior adviser. A former Chairman of Punjab Public Service Commission and a war veteran, General Shergill was closely associated Amarinder’s poll campaign and has also co-authored a book “The Monsoon War” with him.

Though the CM has given a formal approval to the first political appointment, orders to this effect are expected in a day or two.

The Expenditure Reforms Commission, approved in Cabinet meeting, has been mandated to examine all government expenditures to ensure prudence and efficiency in spending by various departments and other organisations funded by the government over the next two months.

A retired PCS officer, Daljit Singh, a former Special Secretary, Agriculture, who had conducted an inquiry into the pesticide scam, is expected to be appointed in the CM’s office.

The much-awaited appointed of the media adviser in the rank of minister of state and other political appointments are expected soon.