Now, Punjab Government gives job to minister’s son-in-law

Rajmeet Singh

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 17

Amid allegations of promoting nepotism, the Punjab Government today cleared the appointment of Gursher Singh, son-in-law of Revenue Minister Gurpreet Kangar, as Excise and Taxation Inspector on compassionate grounds.

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The job was given as a “one-time relaxation” without the case being treated as a precedent. The Personnel Department had objected to the move, stating that Gursher Singh “owns property worth crores and doesn’t fit the bill to be employed on compassionate grounds”.

Though no minister objected to the appointment in the Cabinet meeting today, Sukhjinder Randhawa later said instead of the kin of ministers, jobs should be given to the needy in line with the promises made by the party in poll manifesto. “Questions are raised why such decisions are being taken ahead of elections?” he said.

Chairing the meeting, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh noted that Gursher’s father Bhupjit Singh had played a major role in exposing the job scam, involving then PPSC chairman Ravi Sidhu. Bhupjit Singh, posted as Excise and Taxation Officer, died on September 28, 2011. As per official records, his widow Jasbir Kaur had requested for employment for her son on June 26, 2020, almost nine years after her husband’s death.

In a statement, the CMO pointed out that as per the government policy, the heirs of the deceased employee had to apply for job within one year from the date of death. The policy clarified that if there was a genuine cause for delay, the application could be considered up to 5 years.

“Based on the qualification and the contribution made by Bhupjit Singh, the applicant has been considered for the post of Excise and Taxation Inspector and the Cabinet has decided to make an exception on special grounds,” the CMO said in a statement.

The government had recently invited criticism by appointing son of MLA Fatehjung Singh Bajwa as DSP and son of another MLA Rakesh Pandey as Naib Tehsildar.