The Punjab government on Saturday suspended two IAS officers—Kamal Kishore Yadav (IAS:2003:PB), Administrative Secretary, Industries, Investment Promotion and Information Technology, and Jaspreet Singh (IAS:2014:PB), Managing Director of the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Corporation Limited (Punjab Infotech).
Although the suspension orders did not specify any reason, it is learnt that the action is linked to a delay in the procurement of smartphones for Anganwadi workers under the Union government’s Mission Saksham Anganwadi.
According to the order issued by the Chief Secretary, action against the two officers has been taken under Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, which empowers the Centre or state governments to suspend an IAS officer if disciplinary proceedings are contemplated or pending.
During the suspension period, both officers will remain attached to the state headquarters in Chandigarh and will receive only a subsistence allowance.
In connection with the matter, two additional officers—one IAS and one PCS—have also been transferred. Senior IAS officer Vikas Pratap (IAS:1994:PB), Additional Chief Secretary, Social Security, has been moved and is currently awaiting posting, while PCS officer Anand Sagar Sharma (PCS:2012), Joint Secretary, Women and Child Development, has been posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development), Gurdaspur.
Meanwhile, IAS officer Gurkirat Kirpal Singh (IAS:2001:PB), who had remained without a posting for 11 months, has now been appointed Administrative Secretary, Social Security, Women and Child Development, replacing Vikas Pratap. He has also been given additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Industries, Commerce and Investment Promotion, a post earlier held by suspended officer Kamal Kishore Yadav. The charge of Managing Director, Punjab Infotech, has been assigned to Harshuinder Singh Brar (IAS:2020:PB), Director, Higher Education.
Further, Sirra Karuna Raju (IAS:1998:PB), who was available for posting, has been appointed Principal Resident Commissioner at Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi. Ramvir (IAS:2009:PB), Secretary, Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board, holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Information & Public Relations and Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, Jalandhar, has been transferred as Administrative Secretary, Information & Public Relations and Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, Jalandhar.
Similarly, Kumar Amit (IAS:2010:PB), Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister with additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Tourism & Cultural Affairs, has been given additional charge of Secretary, Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board.
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