Malout gets regular SDM after four and a half months

A regular Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has finally been appointed in Malout after the sub-division remained without one for nearly four and a half months.

According to transfer and posting orders issued by the state government late Friday evening, Jugraj Singh Kahlon, who has been serving as the Chief Minister’s Field Officer in Barnala, has been posted as the new SDM of Malout.

The post had been lying vacant since May 7, when the then SDM Sanjeev Kumar was transferred. Since then, Jaspal Singh Brar, SDM of Gidderbaha, had been holding additional charge of Malout while also serving as Joint Commissioner of the Bathinda Municipal Corporation.

The prolonged delay in appointing a full-time officer had raised questions about governance, especially since the Malout sub-division holds political significance—Malout and Lambi Assembly constituencies are represented by Cabinet Ministers Dr Baljit Kaur and Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, respectively.

Sources said that in the absence of a regular SDM, administrative work had slowed down and public services were affected. Recent rains and local issues further underlined the need for a full-time officer.

Notably, this is not the first time Malout has remained without a regular SDM during the current AAP regime.