Punjab Govt gives cabinet rank post to Navjot Sidhu’s aide; CM asks him to work dedicatedly for Punjab’s progress & prosperity
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 22,2025
The Punjab Government has appointed former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) treasurer, Navjot Singh Sidhu’s close aide Gulzar Inder Singh Chahal as the Vice-Chairperson (Cabinet rank) of the state Economic Policy and Planning Board.
Chahal is also considered to be close to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also. He is an actor/Producer in Punjabi & Bollywood films like Jag Jeondeyan De Mele, I Am Singh, The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir. He is into the Real estate, infrastructure, global funds (Singapore, Dubai, USA). His father is a Punjab Police retired IPS officer Harinder Singh Chahal, who lives in Patiala.
Sidhu has appointed Gulzar Inder Singh Chahal as treasurer when he was appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President in 2021.
Chahal will replace industrialist Rajinder Gupta, who had resigned from the planning board after he was nominated to Rajya Sabha by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Gupta was nominated to the Upper House of Parliament after the berth was vacated by Sanjeev Arora, following his election as a legislator from Ludhiana. Arora is now a minister in Mann’s Cabinet.
In September 2021, Chahal resigned from the post of PCC treasurer in solidarity with Sidhu who had quit as its chief in protest against the appointment of the then Advocate General APS Deol.
Chahal has also served as the president of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA). He, however, had to step down from the post following a controversy raised by cricketer Harbhajan Singh. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh had accused Gulzar Inder Singh Chahal the then Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president of corruption, including trying to “unlawfully” induct 150 members with voting rights in the association, Chahal resigned after the controversy.
On the other hand Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday asked the newly appointed Vice Chairperson of the Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board, Gulzar Inder Singh Chahal, to make continuous efforts for the progress and prosperity of the state so that the welfare of the people can be ensured to the maximum extent.
The Vice Chairperson of the board called on CM Bhagwant Singh Mann here today during which the CM asked him that the Economic Policy and Planning Board assists the state government in formulating development strategies, preparing plans for the progress of various sectors, and designing appropriate policies. “The Punjab government is already working to create employment opportunities for the youth and to frame welfare schemes for the common people adding that the Board should continue to play a key role in it,” he added.
On this occasion, the Vice Chairperson profusely thanked the Chief Minister for entrusting him with the new responsibility.
