Dy CM Sukhbir’s largesse to ‘blue-eyed bureaucrat’

Devinder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 20

The Badal government has adjusted one of its blue- eyed bureaucrats by appointing him as Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Retired IAS officer Paramjit Singh Aujla relinquished office on November 30, 2014. The Deputy CM, who already has a large number of officers in his staff, showed his preference for the former officer and has engaged Aujla on a sumptuous contract for the course of his term in office.

His salary has been fixed at Rs 1.7 lakh per month and he would enjoy all the perks and privileges of serving IAS officers like government accommodation, travelling facility besides other noticeable facilities.

Chief Secretary Savesh Kaushal issued the re-employment orders to Aujla on April 24, 2015. Interestingly, Aujla’s appointment has been made as per the terms and conditions of the appointment of Lt-Gen BS Dhaliwal (retd) who is holding the charge of Technical Adviser to CM Parkash Singh Badal.

As per precedent, a re-employed officer can be posted to the position held by him at the time of retirement with last drawn salary minus the monthly pension. But this is not applicable in the appointment orders.

It is pertinent to mention that the Aujla has been working for Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal in the same capacity. However, he occupies a non-cadre post in the rank of secretary.

Sources in the Punjab Accountant General’s office said that the norms for retired armed forced personnel could not be followed in the case of retired IAS officers. In this case, deducting the pension from the salary has not been mentioned. This was objectionable from the audit viewpoint, the sources added.