The conflict surrounding Punjab cadre IAS officer Parampal Kaur Sidhu’s resignation, amid her bid for Bathinda’s Lok Sabha seat with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), took a riveting turn on Wednesday as the Central Government stepped in, demanding Punjab Government to promptly accept her voluntary retirement. The move comes hot on the heels of the Punjab Government’s rejection of her voluntary retirement plea, coupled with a stern notice instructing her to either return to duty or face disciplinary action.
 
Sidhu, the daughter-in-law of former Minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sikander Singh Maluka, has been embroiled in controversy ever since she resigned and sought Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) on April 3, almost seven months before her retirement. Her decision to join the BJP on April 11, and subsequently contest from Bathinda added fuel to the fire.
 
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government, however, refused to accept her resignation, accusing her of providing “false grounds” for seeking retirement while engaging in political activities. In fact, the Government had asked the IAS officer to resume duty immediately, saying that she cannot be treated as “retired or relieved from service”.
 
Moreover, the day she joined the BJP, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in his post on X, had reminded Sidhu that there was “a procedure to resign” and how her “lifelong earnings could be jeopardized”.
 
Despite the State Government’s notice instructing her to resume duty, Sidhu remained defiant, asserting that she would not comply and that her retirement had been accepted by the Central Government.
 
A 2011-batch IAS officer, Sidhu has been campaigning vigorously in Bathinda for almost a month now. Undeterred, she expressed her determination to contest the enduing elections and file her nomination papers, dismissing the Government's notice as an attempt to disrupt her campaign.
 
The State Government’s Department of Personnel, in its letter to Sidhu, had stated that the IAS officer’s “three-month notice period” for leaving the job had not been waived. Besides, the Government had also not passed any order for acceptance of her voluntary retirement from the service.
 
The Government’s letter also highlighted the staff shortage as a ground to reject her resignation.   “…against the sanctioned strength of 231, only 192 IAS officers are currently on the Punjab cadre…Thus the state is suffering a huge shortage of officers as the result of which a number of officers have been given multiple charges.”
 
Responding, Sidhu highlighted the irony of the situation, pointing out that several officers had been left without postings for months. She questioned the Government's justification for rejecting her resignation while citing staff shortage as the reason.
 
“The government talks about the shortage of IAS officers whereas many officers are sitting idle without any department or work for the past years…I can do whatever I want to do after my retirement. I have entered politics now to serve the people and my only goal is to work for Bathinda development,” she asserted.
 
Sidhu emphasized that she provided clear reasons for seeking VRS. “I highlighted my mother's illness and my intention to relocate to Bathinda to support her. Already being in Bathinda, I also mentioned personal plans for my future. I felt no need to delve into every detail,” she added.
 
The conflict between Sidhu and the Punjab Government underscored larger issues within the bureaucratic and political landscape of the State. Sidhu’s association with the BJP, coupled with her familial ties to senior SAD leadership, added a political dimension to the controversy.
 
As Sidhu remains steadfast in her decision not to resume duty, the political ramifications of her resignation and subsequent candidacy in Bathinda continue to unfold. The clash between the Central and Punjab Governments over her retirement further exacerbated tensions, underscoring the complex interplay between bureaucracy and politics in Punjab.
 
While the Punjab Government stood firm on its decision, labeling Sidhu’s retirement as invalid, the BJP maintained that her resignation was accepted by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the Government of India before she joined the party.
 
As the electoral battle heats up in Bathinda, Sidhu’s refusal to back down signaled a fierce contest ahead. In Bathinda’s battleground, the political greenhorn Sidhu is facing SAD’s three-time MP and former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, AAP MLA from Lambi and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, and Congress’ former MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu.
 
Govt can take whatever action it wants to take…I’ll not resume now: Sidhu

Reacting strongly to Punjab Government’s notice to resume duty, BJP candidate from Bathinda Parampal Kaur Sidhu on Wednesday said that Punjab Government is just wasting time by sending such notices. “Punjab Government can take whatever action it wants to take, but I will not resume again now,” she declared. “The Central Government has accepted my resignation and I will contest the election from Bathinda,” she maintained.
 
Meanwhile, Punjab Government has made the notice period the basis and issued an order stating that she cannot be considered as retired or exempted from service. On the other hand, the BJP claimed that Parampal’s resignation was accepted by the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPD) of the Government of India on April 10 before she joined the BJP. “I have been retired by the Central Government and will not resume under any circumstances and as far as the elections are concerned, I will contest the elections and file my nomination soon,” Sidhu added.
 
What the rules say?

According to the guidelines from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), when an IAS officer wishes to resign while serving in their cadre, they must submit their resignation to the Chief Secretary of the state. The Central Government, serving as the competent authority, is responsible for accepting the resignation. Prior to forwarding the resignation to the Central Government, the state cadre must take into account any outstanding dues and the officer's vigilance status. “The resignation submitted by the member of service will be reviewed by the competent authority, that is, the Central Government, only after receiving the recommendation from the concerned cadre,” stated the guidelines issued by the DoPT.