Punjab Govt Transfers 38 IAS Officers, 1 PCS In Major Administrative Rejig

Vikas Pratap has been transferred as Additional Chief Secretary for Excise, Alok Shekhar as Additional Chief Secretary for Jails and Animal Husbandry, and Krishan Kumar as Principal Secretary of Water Resources.

The Punjab government on Thursday transferred 38 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and one Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer in a major administrative reshuffle. Vikas Pratap, a 1994-batch IAS officer, was appointed as the Additional Chief Secretary for Excise.

PCS officer Rajat Oberoi, previously serving as Additional Chief Administrator of the Amritsar Development Authority, was also transferred.

Alok Shekhar who is also a 1994-batch IAS officer, has been assigned as Additional Chief Secretary, Jails and in addition Additional Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries.

A 1997-batch IAS officer, Krishan Kumar, was appointed as Principal Secretary of Water Resources and in addition Financial Commissioner. Other than these names, there are 35 more IAS officers on the list who have been assigned different portfolios after immediate transfers.

Our Government Is Preparing Even Bigger Chairs For You: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, speaking at an appointment letter distribution ceremony in Chandigarh, promised job security for the state's youth and criticized the previous government for neglecting their needs. During the event held on September 7, 293 individuals received appointment letters across various departments.

He also said that his government is preparing even bigger positions for the people. "Congratulations to you and your family. Nothing is impossible in this world. In the past, the youth had given up hope, but now their hopes have been fulfilled. Our government is preparing even bigger chairs for you," said the CM, news agency ANI reported.

While congratulating the new appointees, Mann assured them that the government is creating even more significant opportunities. He urged them to maintain integrity in their roles, warning against bribery. "The system has been flawed for 75 years, but we will fix it, even if it takes time. You come from humble beginnings, so do not take bribes," Mann said.

Out of the 293 appointments, 263 were in the health department, 9 in technical education, and 21 in the water supply department.