Mann expresses resentment over unceremonious removal of Punjab cadre

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sent a letter to the state governor and administrator of Chandigarh, Banwari Lal Purohit, to express resentment over the removal of a Punjab cadre IPS officer from the post of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kuldeep Chahal, Chandigarh.

In the letter written to the Governor, the Chief Minister apprised the Governor that the post of Senior Superintendent of Police, Union Territory, Chandigarh, has traditionally been occupied by a Punjab Cadre IPS Officer. Likewise, he said that an IAS officer of the Haryana Cadre had been appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of the UT. However, Bhagwant Mann said that he was surprised to learn that 2009 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre Kuldeep Singh Chahal has been repatriated to Punjab prematurely.

The Chief Minister further said that, much to the dismay of the state, the charge of SSP, Chandigarh, has been given to a Haryana Cadre IPS Officer. He said that this move was unwanted and undesirable, as it was going to disturb the balance among the states in running the affairs of UT, Chandigarh. Bhagwant Mann further said that if, for some reason, SSP Kuldeep Singh Chahal was to be repatriated, then a panel of suitable IPS officers should have been sought from Punjab well in advance.

Seeking the intervention of the Governor in the matter, the Chief Minister said that the state government will shortly be sending a panel of three IPS officers from the Punjab cadre for the post of SSP, Chandigarh. He expressed hope that soon an IPS officer of the Punjab Cadre will be appointed as SSP, Chandigarh.