Just hours before announcing the dates for the upcoming panchayat polls, Punjab Government on Wednesday undertook an extensive administrative overhaul. The sweeping reshuffle affected a total of 49 civil officials, comprising 11 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and 38 Punjab Civil Service (PCS) officers, along with 22 police officers.

The State Government’s decision to transfer a substantial number of officials comes amid heightened scrutiny over the electoral process. Among the prominent changes, Gurpreet Singh Aulakh has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner of Tarn Taran. Additionally, VN Zade, who recently returned to Punjab, has been designated as Secretary of Expenditure in the Finance Department.

Gauri Prashar Joshi, who was awaiting new assignments, has been entrusted with the roles of Special Secretary (Personnel) and Managing Director of the Punjab Small Industries Development Corporation (PSIDC).

Noteworthy among the other officers transferred is Sanyam Aggarwal, who will take on the role of Director of Higher Education; while Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa has been appointed as the Bathinda Municipal Corporation’s Commissioner. Ankurjit Singh will lead the Jalandhar Development Authority as its new Chief Administrator. Additionally, Rahul Chaba has been designated as the new Commissioner for the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar,

In addition to the civil service reshuffle, the Government also restructured its police administration by transferring 22 officials. Among these changes, SPS Parmar has been appointed as the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for Law and Order, following his tenure leading a Special Investigation Team that investigated recent sacrilege incidents in the state. His new role is pivotal as Punjab gears up for the elections, and his experience is expected to ensure adequate security measures.

Inspector General of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar has been reassigned as the Commissioner of Police in Amritsar, a position he previously held before being moved to the state police headquarters after the Lok Sabha elections in June.

Other notable appointments include Dhanpreet Kaur as IG for the Ludhiana Range; and Mandeep Singh Sidhu, who previously served as Commissioner of Police in Ludhiana, now taking on the role of Deputy Inspector General for the Patiala Range. Ranjit Singh Dhillon has been designated as DIG for the Ferozepur Range, while Harcharan Singh Bhulla assumes the same role for the Bathinda district.

The timing of these administrative changes is particularly significant, occurring just before the imposition of the model code of conduct. The code is designed to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, limiting the influence of governmental authority during the electoral process.

This is the third extensive transfer of officers in the past fortnight, signaling an ongoing effort to revamp the civil administration in Punjab.

Kejriwal reiterates support for farmers, promises development in Haryana

Ambala: Addressing a public meeting in Meham assembly constituency, Arvind Kejriwal, national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday sought support for party candidate Vikas Nehra. Kejriwal reminded the gathering of his role in supporting the 13-month-long farmers’ agitation at Delhi borders, which led to Prime Minister Modi revoking the three agricultural laws.  Kejriwal criticised BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s demand to re-implement the laws and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s statement doubting the authenticity of the protesting farmers. He shared his personal connection to the region, being born in Bhiwani and educated in Hisar and IIT Kharagpur, before working as Joint Commissioner in Income Tax Department.

Cong a divided house in Haryana, says Khattar

Ambala: Addressing party workers in Naraingarh of Ambala district, Union Minister and former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday appealed to the farmers and Punjabi community to vote in large numbers to form the BJP’s government for the third time. Khattar said, “We want to make a record and form the BJP government for the third time under the leadership of Nayab Singh Saini.” He said the Congress party was trying hard to have a pre-poll alliance but has failed so far. Khattar added that the BJP had declared its probable CM candidate but the Congress was a divided house and engrossed in family politics.

Amit Shah to address rally in Badshahpur

Gurugram: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address a public rally in support of Badshahpur constituency candidate Rao Narbir Singh on September 29. The rally will be organised in village Dhorka in Sector 95 of Badshahpur Assembly constituency. In a statement, a BJP leader said that the rally to be held on September 29 will create a new history in Haryana. Singh said while addressing a public meeting organised in Farukhnagar, Bhangrola and Garhi village during his election tour on Wednesday. He said that before the ticket allocation, he had met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah who promised him that he would come to Badshahpur in his support.

Voter Information Slip’ being issued for voter facilitation: Haryana CEO

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal on Wednesday said that 'Voter Information Slips' are being issued to provide voters with information related to polling. The slip will include details such as the polling booth, serial no. of electoral roll, poll date and time, along with a QR code, but not the photograph of the voter. Agarwal directed all District Electoral Officers and Returning Officers to ensure that the Voter Information Slip is distributed to all enrolled voters at least five days before the polling date i.e 30 September. It was further clarified that the slip will not be accepted as proof of identity for voters. To make the electoral process more accessible for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and ensure their active participation, the Commission will issue Braille Voter Information Slips along with the regular slips for visually impaired voters. Additionally, to fulfill statutory requirements under Rule 31 of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, and to ensure accurate and proper information for voter awareness at each polling station, four standardized 'Voter Facilitation Posters' (VFPs) will be prominently displayed, he added.

Congress candidate Chander Mohan releases his manifesto for Panchkula

Panchkula: Former Deputy Chief Minister and four-time MLA Chander Mohan on Wednesday presented his manifesto to the people of the Panchkula constituency. In the manifesto, Chander Mohan made several pledges for Panchkula. In a statement, Chander Mohan highlighted key issues such as providing a permanent solution to the dumping ground in Sector 23 and Jhurriwala, granting tubewell connections to farmers for electricity, constructing a 100-bed multi-specialty hospital in Barwala, eradicating menace of flies from the Barwala block, and addressing the issue of stray animals in Panchkula. Additionally, he promised to be available for his constituents 24/7, 365 days a year. He also pledged to start a pink bus service for women, set specific hours for women to meet officials in government offices, and ensure that farmers receive payment for their produce within 48 hours. Chander Mohan also vowed to turn Panchkula into a smart city and make Barwala a subdivision. He emphasized that this manifesto is not just a declaration but a solution to all the problems of the people.