Major administrative reshuffle in Punjab; 36 IAS, 7 PCS officers transferred

In a major administrative reshuffle, the Punjab Government on Monday transferred and issued new posting orders for 36 IAS officers and 7 PCS officers.

According to an official order, Krishan Kumar has been given the charge of all-important Finance department, in addition to his role as Principal Secretary Water Resources. The charge of Taxation department that he held has now been given to Jaspreet Talwar, who was recently promoted as Additional Chief Secretary.

Rahul Tiwari and Vikas Garg have swapped places, with Tiwari going to the Food and Supply department and Garg getting the Housing and Urban Development department.

Senior IAS officer V. K. Meena has been given charge of the Social Justice and Minorities department, while Alaknanda Dayal has got the charge of Employment Generation and Skill Development department. Varinder Kumar Sharma is the new Director of Food and Supply department.

K K Yadav has been replaced as the Administrative Secretary in the Education department by Anandita Mitra.

In the Rural Development department, both Secretary Dilraj Singh and Director Paramjit Singh have been replaced by Ajit Balaji Joshi and Uma Shankar Gupta, respectively, after an inquiry was initiated into the case of village pathways in New Chandigarh being sold to a private builder by the Rural Development department. Interestingly, other than Joshi, another officer posted in the Agriculture department, Neelima, has also been transferred. Neelima is now CEO of PEDA, whereas Babita replaces her in the Agriculture department as Commissioner.

Gauri Prashar Joshi has been posted as Secretary in the Department of General Administration.