Noting Blunder: Minister files wrong noting, signed by all; director sacked despite suspension recommendation
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 7,2025
In a major fiasco, power minister Sanjeev Arora has put up a wrong noting recommending the suspension of PSPCL’s DIRECTOR DISTRIBUTION Harjit Singh along with the chief engineer Harish Kumar posted at, GSSTTP Ropar Thermal Plant and GADTPP, Goindwal sahib on October 29,2025 citing financial loss to the powercom over alleged irregularities in fuel costs for power generation.
As per records Harjit Singh is not Director Distribution but he was Director Generation when the minister signed, recommended his suspension where as Inderpal Singh is the Director Distribution, PSPCL.
Harjit Singh was removed from the post of Director Generation whereas the power minister himself recommended his suspension. Powercom engineers are has also taken up the suspension of Harjit Singh and Harish Kumar with the chief minister and condemned the arbitrary actions and growing political interference in the power sector.
An officer on the condition of anonymity said “as per official noting the minister has ordered the suspension of both the powercom high officials- chief engineer Harish Kumar posted at, GSSTTP Ropar, GADTPP, Goindwal Sahib and DIRECTOR DISTRIBUTION Harjit Singh (where as Harjit Singh was Director Generation not Director Distribution) on October 29,2025 and put up the file for approval and implementing the orders. Than the Chief secretary ordered and instructed “ The orders be issued immediately “ .
Here comes the twist added the officer, as per the available information” the than incumbent CMD AK Sinha, IAS refused to implement the orders and he was immediately transferred. Sinha was also holding the charge of principal secretary, Power. A day later, the government ordered the posting of Basant Garg,IAS as the new CMD PSPCL, PSTCL and administrative secretary, Power on November 1,2025.”
“On the same day, on November 1,2025, at around 7:30 pm the newly appointed CMD, Basant Garg, IAS had signed the suspension orders of Harish Kumar, chief engineer, GGSSTP Ropar and GADTPP, Goindwal sahib over alleged irregularities in fuel costs for power generation . Later on November 4, Harjit Singh was removed from the post of Director, Generation instead of suspending, as per the minister’s noting. Moreover if a director is only removed not suspended under any rule than why the “Suspension” is recommended in the noting.” further added the official on the condition of anonymity.
On the other hand the PSEB Engineers Association spokesperson said “ The association has written a letter to the chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and highlighted the move to sell power sector properties and assets, hurdles being created in the process of 2×800 MW units at Ropar, the illegitimate suspension of CE/ Ropar thermal without due process illegal removal of services of Director/Generation, on the basis of unsubstantiated and fabricated technical grounds and the overall trend of unwarranted political interference in technical, administrative, and procurement decisions within the Power Corporation.”
He further added that “ the association is demanding the revocation of Suspensions and Condemn Illegal removals: Unconditionally revoke the suspension of CE/Ropar and issue a written communication to the Power Department condemning the illegal removal of Director/Generation”.
Meanwhile the power minister Sanjeev Arora who recommended these orders and chief secretary KAP Sinha, IAS could not be contacted as they are accompanying the chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to South Korea.
