Chandigarh Administration Rejects Deputation Panels from Punjab and Haryana Citing Norm Violations
In a significant administrative setback for the governments of Punjab and Haryana, the Chandigarh administration has formally rejected the deputation panels submitted by both states. The rejection is based on identified anomalies and clear violations of existing service norms, which rendered the proposed officer lists non-compliant and impractical for deputation purposes.
The panels, which included names of three Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers from Punjab and three Haryana Civil Services (HCS) officers, were intended for selection of one officer each to serve on deputation in the Union Territory. However, after thorough scrutiny, the Chandigarh administration concluded that the nominations did not adhere to established rules and has directed both state governments to submit fresh, feasible panels.
Scrutiny Reveals Multiple Violations in Punjab IAS Panel
During the examination of the Punjab IAS panel, the UT administration uncovered several critical issues. One of the IAS officers failed to meet the mandatory requirement of nine years of service in the parent cadre, a fundamental condition for deputation eligibility. Another officer had only recently returned to his parent cadre in Punjab in November, following an extended deputation stint in Chandigarh. Officials deemed it unjustified to reconsider his name for deputation again within such a short timeframe.
A third nomination involved Rubinderjit Singh Brar, recently promoted from Provincial Civil Service (PCS) to IAS. Brar had served the Chandigarh administration extensively in two phases as a PCS officer. After his promotion to IAS, he was relieved from the UT administration in November 2025 and repatriated to Punjab. Despite this, the Punjab government forwarded his name for deputation to Chandigarh merely two months later. Sources within the UT administration highlighted that Brar had not completed the mandatory three-year cooling-off period in his state cadre after returning from deputation, making his re-nomination "quite shocking."
Haryana HCS Panel Found Impractical and Non-Compliant
The scrutiny of the Haryana Civil Services officers' panel revealed additional discrepancies. Out of the three names submitted by the Haryana government, two officers had already been forwarded to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for elevation to the IAS. Officials noted that since these officers could be promoted at any time, their inclusion in the deputation panel held no practical relevance. According to a senior UT officer, the panel should consist of HCS officers with sufficient remaining years of service in the HCS cadre to ensure they can complete the full deputation tenure if selected.
Administration Demands Fresh, Rule-Compliant Panels
Citing these numerous discrepancies, the Chandigarh administration has formally requested both Punjab and Haryana to submit new panels that fully comply with service rules and include officers who can realistically serve on deputation in the UT. This move underscores the administration's commitment to adhering to procedural norms and ensuring efficient governance through qualified deputation officers.
Summary of Key Issues:
- Punjab IAS Panel: One officer lacked nine years of service, another was recently repatriated, and a third had not completed the cooling-off period.
- Haryana HCS Panel: Two officers were under consideration for IAS promotion, making their deputation impractical.
- Overall Reason: The panels failed to meet existing service norms and did not provide feasible candidates for deputation to Chandigarh.
