Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has played down any differences with Governor and UT Administrator Banwari Lal Purohit over the recent transfer of a Punjab-cadre IPS officer, stating Thursday that all was “all was well” between the two.
On Wednesday, Purohit had strongly countered Mann’s objections to the removal of Kuldeep Singh Chahal from the post of senior superintendent of police (SSP), Chandigarh.
Purohit firmly told Mann that all procedures had been followed before he relieved Chahal from his post, and that Mann could not be contacted because he was campaigning in the Gujarat Assembly polls.
After Chahal was removed from the post of SSP, Chandigarh on Tuesday, a miffed Mann shot a letter to Purohit, claiming the chair in Punjab’s capital had gone to an officer from the Haryana cadre.
Purohit poured scorn on Mann’s grouse, stressing the Punjab chief secretary was informed in the last week of November that the 2009-batch officer would be removed.
But Mann couldn’t be reached as he was busy campaigning in Gujarat (for his Aam Aadmi Party), the governor said in his reply to the chief minister.
Purohit had also written to the chief secretary for a panel of names to replace Chahal, but that too was not forthcoming, he added.
“Had care been taken (to ascertain facts) then such a letter could not have been written at (all), in the first place and it must be noted,” a caustic Purohit told Mann.
Mann, however, told reporters Thursday, that a panel of three IPS officers from Punjab had indeed been sent to the Chandigarh administration for consideration to fill the SSP’s post. They were Dr Sandeep Garg, Akhil Chaudhry and Bhagirath Singh Meena, sources said.
Chahal, who joined the Chandigarh Police on 2 October 2020, was relieved with immediate effect Tuesday due to “misconduct” as mentioned in the Governor’s letter to the CM.
SSP (traffic/security) Manisha Chaudhary – who is of the Haryana cadre – has been given additional charge of SSP (UT).
Mann wrote to Purohit immediately, terming the Governor’s move “unwanted and undesirable”.
In the letter, he said Chahal had been repatriated prematurely and without the Chandigarh administration seeking a panel of names of three Punjab IPS officers to choose as replacement.
But the Governor would not hear of Mann’s protests and said firmly that the “issue of Punjab v/s Haryana” was unnecessary and not applicable in this case.
Here is the full text of Purohit’s letter that was shared with the media by the Raj Bhavan:
“When serious inputs started coming about the misconduct of SSP U.T. Sh. Chahal, I ascertained their authenticity from reliable sources, after which, I communicated telephonically with Chief Secretary, Punjab on 28th Nov., 2022, my decision to remove Sh. Chahal, SSP U.T. from critical post.
At the same time I advised him to send a panel of efficient IPS officers for the post of SSP, U.T. I also told him that DGP, U.T. Sh. Praveer Ranjan, will apprise you of the facts. Accordingly Sh. Praveer Ranjan met CS (chief secretary) Punjab, on 30th Nov., 2022 at 4.30 PM and narrated the details of the case and also requested for a panel, to be sent by Govt. of Punjab.
The same day on 30th Nov., 2022 Advisor U.T. Administration also talked to the C.S. telephonically and made a request for sending a panel. Chief Secretary, Punjab also met me in my office on that very same day at around 5.30 P.M. and apart from discussing other matters, he was also advised by me, to send a panel of IPS officers, as early as possible.
Sh. Kuldeep Chahal, IPS, too called on me on 30th Nov., 2022 and he was clearly told that he had to go back to his Punjab Cadre.
Since during this period you were busy, campaigning in Gujarat assembly poll, it was not possible for me to contact you.”
You also raised unnecessary issue of Punjab v/s Haryana in this connection which is not applicable in this case of adhoc appointment, for a very short period i.e. for a week or two. I wish you should have considered these aspects before writing a letter to me.”
Meanwhile, the Opposition has lashed out at Mann for “lying” about the whole affair.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal tweeted Wednesday:
“Pb Guv writes to CM @BhagwantMann and says he spoke to @CsPunjab & asked for a panel to appoint new SSP Chandigarh on Nov 28.
So was the CM lying when he said Pb wasn’t informed or did the CS bypass CM & took directions from @arvindkejriwal & @raghav_chadha?”
Pb Guv writes to CM @BhagwantMann and says he spoke to @CsPunjab & asked for a panel to appoint new SSP Chandigarh on Nov 28.
So was the CM lying when he said Pb wasn’t informed or did the CS bypass CM & took directions from @arvindkejriwal & @raghav_chadha?
ਕੋਈ ਜਵਾਬ ਮਾਨ ਸਾਬ੍ਹ? pic.twitter.com/n13KyrOaqw
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 14, 2022
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa tweeted that there seemed to be a major communication gap between the government and the bureaucracy.
“Governor of Punjab’s letter shows, there was a major communication gap between the @BhagwantMann govt & bureaucracy. In the letter, Governor mentioned that he couldn’t contact Mann because he was busy in election campaign in Gujarat. It shows, how insincere CM Mann is to Punjab.”
Governor of Punjab’s letter shows, there was a major communication gap between the @BhagwantMann govt & bureaucracy. In the letter, Governor mentioned that he couldn’t contact Mann because he was busy in election campaign in Gujarat. It shows, how insincere CM Mann is to Punjab.
— Partap Singh Bajwa (@Partap_Sbajwa) December 14, 2022
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