By Manish Tiwar | Editor-In-Chief

Abrupt removals of officers without assigning them new postings hava sparked debates in Punjab. In the past 25 years, it is difficult to recall a time when senior IAS or IPS officers were relieved of their duties without getting new responsibilities -something that has now become a norm.

A senior IPS officer in Punjab is often heard saying, “Osting posting kya hai, ye to hoti rahati hai...” (Transfers and postings keep happening...). Once a lighthearted remark about routine bureaucratic reshuffles, this phrase has taken on a deeper meaning in recent years. The manner in which senior IAS and IPS officers in Punjab are being transferred — or left without postings for months has caused major concerns among bureaucrats, political analysts, and governance experts alike. 

The Punjab government’s decision to relieve some of its senior officers holding important positions — including K.K. Yadav (2003-batch IAS) and Gurkirat Kirpal Singh (2001-batch IAS) — has left many baffled. These officers, known for their dedication and important roles, were not only transferred but also left without any posting. Until a couple of weeks ago, Yadav was serving as Administrative Secretary for Higher Education, School Education, Technical Education, besides some other departments, while Gurkirat Kirpal Singh wasthe Administrative Secretary for Home Affairs, Mining, and more.

Such abrupt removals, without reassignment, have sparked debates about the political and administrative intent behind these decisions. In the past 25 years, it is difficult to recall a time when senior IAS or IPS officers were relieved of their duties in this manner without being assigned new responsibilities — something that has become a norm under the AAP government.

Officers holding multiple key positions are suddenly sidelined without any clear reason or official explanation. B. Chandrashekhar (1994-batch IPS), was transferred out of his position as ADGP, Jails, and had to wait a long time before receiving another posting. The same fate befell Varinder Kumar (1993-batch IPS), who was serving as Director General of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau — a crucial position in the state’s anti-corruption efforts. He is without a posting today.

G. Nageswara Rao (1995-batch IPS) who had replaced Varinder Kumar a month ago, was fortunateto receive an immediate posting as ADGP (Provisioning) after being transferred from the top post of Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau within a month of his posting as Punjab Vigilance Chief. Kuldeep Singh Chahal (2009-batch IPS) is another officer who held the crucial posts of Jalandhar Police Commissioner and Ludhiana Police Commissioner over the past two years. However, on March 28, Chahal was shunted out and has not been given any posting.

Ajoy Sharma (1999-batch IAS), an officer known for his upright nature, also faced months without a posting after being removed from his role as Health Secretary. Later, he was given key positions but was again removed from thosedepartments. Not long ago, DK Tiwari (1994-batch IAS), an Additional Chief Secretary in the Punjab government, was placed under

suspension while serving as ACS of the Rural Development Department, adding to the growing list of officers facing an uncertain fate. He was later rehabilitated.

The list of the bureaucrats and police officers, including PCS and PPS officers, affected by such sudden transfers is long, and the frequency of these moves has become a major point of discussion in the country.

Like in many other states, Punjab’s bureaucracy has long been influenced by political pressures, but the current level of administrative uncertainty represents a new normal. The state has seen three Chief Secretaries in just three years — Anirudh Tewari (1991-batch IAS), V K Janjua (1989 batch IAS), Anurag Verma (1993-batch IAS), and now KAP Sinha (1992-batch IAS). Among

legal officers, Punjab has had several Advocate Generals — APS Deol, D S Patwalia, Anmol Rattan Sidhu, Vinod Ghai and Gurminder Singh — in the same period.

Political observers say that this pattern of transfers is not random but rather a calculated one to ensure compliance within the bureaucracy. By frequently transferring officers or leaving them without assignments for extended periods, the government appears to be sending a clear message — fall in line. 

For many officers, being left without a posting for three to four months is akin to a “silent suspension.” While they remain in service, their careers stall, leaving them in professional limbo. Within a single year, some officers have been assigned seven to eight different departments, making it nearly impossible for them to establish continuity in their work. As a result, some of the posts earlier considered less significant — such as DGP (HRD and Training), DGP (Rules), Director General (MGSIPA), and Secretary (Printing and Stationery), Freedom Fighters, and Defence Services Welfare — are now in high demand, with incumbents trying to “tightly” hold onto their positions — though many of them may not like to openly admit it.

The Government must realise that frequent changes in leadership disrupt the administration. Departments struggle with continuity, and officers who take charge of critical projects are often moved before they can see their initiatives through to completion. This constant reshuffling will ultimately weaken governance and discourage officers from making bold decisions for fear of sudden removal.

The transfer season in Punjab is underway, and many more transfers are expected. For the state to ensure effective governance, a balance must be struck between administrative control and bureaucratic independence. It is the government’s prerogative to transfer officers, but political leadership must make these decisions in a manner that upholds professionalism and does not demoralise the bureaucracy. The masters must also recognise that bureaucrats represent continuity in governance... they shall come and go! 

/DW