‘Created to bring reforms’: Bhagwant Mann reacts to opposition's ’non-existent' department charge

Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal was informed that the Administrative Reforms department was ‘not in existence as on date’

Published on: Feb 22, 2025, 18:34:34 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann explained on Saturday that his government created the Administrative Reforms department to implement reforms and defended the controversial circular as part of an administrative process.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended the controversial circular as part of an administrative process. (PTI)

Mann's clarification comes amid accusations from the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal was unaware that he was heading a “non-existent” Administrative Reforms department for nearly 21 months.

The controversy erupted over a Punjab government notification issued on Friday. “In partial modification of Punjab Government Notification No. 21/1/2022-2 Cabinet/2230 dated 23.09.24, regarding allocation of portfolios among ministers, the department of Administrative Reforms earlier allocated to Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Cabinet Minister, is not in existence as on date.,” the circular read.

“Therefore, on the advice of the CM, the governor is pleased to make the amendment effective from February 2, 2025.,” it added.

Also Read | With more loans, Punjab may end year with higher debt

Mann defended the notification on Saturday.

“We changed its name and created a new department. Earlier, it was just for the name; there was no staff or office. Now, it has been created to bring reforms, whether in bureaucracy or other areas. We are also looking at merging several departments with similar functions into one department," he said.

A PTI report said that Dhaliwal was given the administrative department portfolio in May 2023 after stripping him of the agriculture and farmers' welfare department. He continued to be in charge of NRI affairs.

No staff was assigned to the minister, and the department did not hold any meetings during the past 21 months, the report said.

Also Read | Over 3k ETT teachers to get job letters soon: Punjab government

BJP, SAD, and Congress slam AAP

Punjab BJP general secretary Subhash Sharma said the episode reflected the AAP government's “mental bankruptcy”.

“Neither those who allotted it nor those who had been allotted the department were aware of the fact that this department was not in existence,” Sharma said.

SAD leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal claimed that the minister was unaware of his portfolio because he has “no role” in a government “remote controlled from Delhi.”

Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring wrote on X, “What a 'Badlaav”.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.