Drawing a hard line against bureaucratic inefficiency, Punjab Government has warned that officers, delaying public services, will face immediate suspension. Chief Secretary KAP Sinha has directed all departments to submit a detailed report on pending applications by 11 am on March 26, making it clear that any further delays will be treated as an act of “corruption”. Officials failing to comply will be presumed guilty of suppressing information and enabling “graft”, triggering disciplinary action.
This strong stance came after mounting public frustration over long-pending requests for essential documents such as driving licenses, property registrations, and caste certificates — many of which have been stuck for months. Multiple complaints and even reports from AAP’s own MLAs indicated that files are deliberately held up, allegedly to extract bribes. The Mann Government, facing growing criticism over governance failures, is now moving swiftly to clean up the system and ensure public services reach citizens without delay.
Strong Warning Against Non-Compliance
In an official communiqué, the Chief Secretary has stated that corruption often thrives on bureaucratic delays, and the government will no longer tolerate this practice. He pointed out that multiple reminders had been sent to departments, but many failed to respond, forcing the administration to take a tough stand.
“If the required information is not received by 11 am on March 26, it will be assumed that the concerned officer and secretary are deliberately concealing information and enabling corrupt practices. In such cases, the government will be left with no choice but to initiate stringent disciplinary proceedings, including suspension,” the letter warned.
Political Pressure, Public Complaints Prompt Crackdown
The Government's action came after widespread complaints from citizens and legislators about excessive delays in crucial services. Even within the Punjab Assembly, AAP legislators have raised concerns over bureaucratic inefficiencies, while the opposition leaders have accused the government of failing to deliver on its promises of clean and transparent governance.
During a recent Assembly session, Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa questioned the Transport Department over the backlog of driving licenses and vehicle registration certificates (RCs), claiming that thousands of applications had remained pending since October last year. In response, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar assured the House that the backlog had been addressed, but Bajwa demanded a timeline for full clearance of pending applications, and the Minister promised resolution within a month.
Punjab Govt’s Aggressive Governance Approach After Delhi Poll Debacle
AAP led Punjab Government switched into an aggressive governance mode after the Delhi poll debacle in which the party faced resounding defeat with its national convener and three time Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, along with party’s many big faces, were made to bite the dust.
AAP-led Punjab Government’s anti-corruption drive is part of a larger effort to improve governance and public service delivery. And since Delhi Assembly elections, Punjab Government has made significant changes to its administrative approach, focusing on direct engagement with citizens and swift action against corrupt practices. The state administration has taken a series of high-profile actions, including major bureaucratic reshuffles and anti-corruption measures.
Recently, the Government suspended Muktsar Deputy Commissioner over corruption allegations and ordered a vigilance probe. Similarly, in a show of zero tolerance against non-compliance, the state suspended 16 Naib Tehsildars who had gone on strike, forcing them to return to work. In addition, 235 Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars were transferred as part of a broader restructuring effort.
The government has also taken a firm stand on the ongoing farmers' protests, asserting that negotiations cannot proceed alongside road blockades. This was evident in the recent police action at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, where barricades were cleared after a year-long protest, allowing free movement of traffic.
