Regional Journal

Babus on junkets

Babus in Punjab seem unable to resist foreign junkets, especially to exotic destinations. A team of three top officers, heading important departments, has proceeded on a tour of South America, including Peru and Chile. Besides creating a buzz in the corridors of power, it has also led to heartburn in the bureaucratic fraternity, especially about two of the three officers getting permission from the political establishment for the foreign visits.

DIG’s arrest rattles cops

Rattled by the arrest of DIG Harcharan Bhullar, many Punjab Police officers close to him avoided meeting anyone on Diwali, with some even reportedly skipping festivities. “The arrest by the CBI and the seizure of crores of rupees has brought shame to us. It will take years of good work to ensure people forget the episode,” said a senior official. However, a junior official welcomed the arrest of a “big fish” instead of the “usual action” against only lower-rank officials.

Hero driver saves boy

When an eight-year-old boy suffered a stroke aboard a PRTC bus from Dabwali to Bathinda recently, driver Tarsem Singh and conductor Ranjit Singh took quick action. Instead of panicking, Tarsem wasted no time in driving straight to AIIMS, Bathinda. Their quick response ensured the boy received timely treatment. The duo reminded society that kindness and humanity still exist.

What is in a name?

What’s in a name? This Shakespearean dilemma sometimes baffles Gurdaspur bureaucracy, as two top officials, Deputy Commissioner Aditya Uppal and SSP Aditya, have the same first name. An officer recounted receiving a call from the office asking him to report to Aditya. He did report but at the wrong Aditya’s house. The recurring mix-ups have stumped many.

IPS officers wait for promotion

The wait of 1993-batch Haryana cadre IPS officers Alok Mittal and Arshinder Chawla for promotion to the Director-General rank continues, although they have been eligible since January 1, 2023. The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) met on October 6, but with IPS officer Y Puran Kumar's suicide on October 7 and the top brass busy in parleys with his family, the DPC recommendations were put on the back burner. Although the recommendations have reached CM Nayab Singh Saini, the final nod is awaited. In Punjab, the 1993-batch IPS officers were elevated in January 2023 itself.

Shimla Mayor wins hearts

The HP Cabinet decision to extend the term of the Shimla Mayor and Deputy Mayor from two and a half to five years has disappointed aspirants but delighted the public. Mayor Surinder Chauhan, who can often be seen overseeing road repairs and snow clearance, has won hearts with his humility and good work. He might be Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's old buddy, but he is considered the most accessible and efficient Mayor.

Contributed by Ruchika M Khanna, Aman Sood, Archit Watts, Ravi Dhaliwal, Geetanjali Gayatri

and Pratibha Chauhan