Hectic lobbying for Chief Secretary, DGP , PS to CM begins in Punjab
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
After the resignation of Punjab chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and with the new Congress Government to be in place, now hectic lobbying for the posts of chief secretary, DGP, Principal Secretary to CM besides other plum postings in civil and police circles have begun.
With the CLP passing a resolution, giving party president Sonia Gandhi to decide on new chief minister of Punjab, the bureaucrats leaving no stone unturned to grab this opportunity.
Senior bureaucrats have already got active, since morning. As per sources, with the change in the guard, both IAS and IPS at all levels has started lobbying for the key posts.
Highly placed sources said that civil and police officers have started meeting the close confidantes of congress leaders of Navjot Sidhu camp to get plum postings in the new government.
At present Vini Mahajan ,IAS of 1987 batch is holding charge of charge of chief secretary and her husband Dinkar Gupta IPS is the DGP of Punjab police.
“Now, it’s up to the new govt to continue with these officers or to replace them with their own officers. Principal strategic adviser to PPCC president Mohammad Mustafa IPS (Retd.) had challenged the appointment of Dinkar Gupta as DGP. Mustafa and Siddharth Chattopadhyay had approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (“CAT”) challenging order dated February 7, 2019 wherein the Government of Punjab appointed Dinkar Gupta of Punjab cadre, as Director General of Police, Head of Police Force based on the recommendations of UPSC Empanelment Committee. So, he may be the first officer to go, after the new CM and cabinet takes the charge” said a retired Punjab police officer.
“Its upto the new CM and his new team to pick up those officers who can deliver in short span of three months, as by end of December code of conduct will be imposed in the state: said another officer.
Among the senior officers, Arun Goel, of 1985 batch is on central deputation,as secretary Heavy Industries. As per information Ravneet Kaur of 1988 batch is amongst the front runner. Sanjay Kumar, Anjali Bhawra of 1988 batch ,Anirudh Tiwari (1990) were also in the race for the post of chief secretary .
In Punjab police, senior most officer SK Goel (of 1984 batch) is on central deputation as Director (RA&W) Siddharth Chattopadhyay (1986 batch) is the senior most officer. MK Tiwari, VK Bhawra, Prabodh Kumar ,Rohit Chaudhary, Sanjeev Kumar Kalra are also amongst the front runner for the coveted post of DGP. Even Iqbal Preet singh Sahota is also a hot contender.
VK Bhawra and Prabodh kumar were already empanelled as DG level officers. These two officers are of 1987 batch.
September 18,2021
