In a significant administrative reshuffle aimed at optimising governance and departmental functioning, the Punjab government on Friday issued orders transferring eight Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and nine Punjab Civil Service (PCS) officers. The move affects several critical departments, with multiple senior officers entrusted with expanded or restructured responsibilities.
Alok Shekhar, who has been serving as Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner for Cooperation, and simultaneously holding the portfolios of Additional Chief Secretary, Home Affairs, and Nodal Officer for the implementation of new criminal laws in Punjab, has now been entrusted with the key role of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance. This decision relieves Krishan Kumar from the charge and consolidates financial oversight under Shekhar’s stewardship.
In another major development, Dhirendra Kumar Tiwari has been appointed as Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner, Excise. In addition, he will take over as Additional Chief Secretary, Good Governance and Information Technology, replacing Vikas Pratap. Tiwari has also been given the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Parliamentary Affairs, marking a significant expansion of his portfolio and responsibilities.
The reshuffle has also impacted departments integral to public welfare and state development. Basant Garg, currently serving as Administrative Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, with additional charge of Secretary, Health and Family Welfare and as Nodal Officer for the Anti-Drug Campaign, has been assigned the added roles of Administrative Secretary, Horticulture and Administrative Secretary, Soil and Water Conservation. He succeeds Mohammad Tayyab in these responsibilities, signalling the government’s continued focus on agricultural diversification and natural resource conservation.
Anindita Mitra, who holds the position of Administrative Secretary, Higher Education and Languages, along with additional charge of Administrative Secretary, School Education, has now been appointed as Managing Director, Punjab Infrastructure Development Board. This change also relieves Mohammad Tayyab from the said role, aligning education and infrastructure under a unified leadership model.
Further appointments include Jitendra Jorwal, presently Additional Commissioner (Excise), Patiala, who has been assigned additional responsibilities as Special Secretary, Excise and Taxation. Ajay Arora has also been posted as Special Secretary, Finance, reflecting a reinforcement of financial administration in the state.
The transfer orders are expected to bring renewed focus and streamlined governance to departments handling finance, education, agriculture, and technology, which are seen as pivotal to Punjab’s growth agenda. While routine in nature, such reshuffles are also indicative of the government’s intent to match departmental leadership with evolving policy priorities and public expectations.
The reshuffle comes at a crucial time, as the state government accelerates administrative reforms, targets economic revival, and seeks effective implementation of new laws and social initiatives. By reassigning seasoned officers to strategic positions, the Punjab government aims to bolster governance efficiency, inter-departmental coordination, and citizen service delivery across the board. More appointments and reshuffles are anticipated in the coming weeks as part of the broader governance realignment underway in Punjab.
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