Punjab Government Takes Disciplinary Action Against Two Senior IAS Officers
The Punjab government has taken decisive administrative action by suspending two high-ranking Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers on Saturday. The suspended officials are Kamal Kishor Yadav, who served as the administrative secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, and Jaspreet Singh, the Managing Director of the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Corporation Limited, commonly known as Punjab INFOTECH.
Official Orders Cite Disciplinary Proceedings
Separate suspension orders were issued by the Chief Secretary of Punjab, invoking Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. This specific rule grants the central or state governments the authority to suspend an IAS officer when disciplinary proceedings are either being contemplated or are already pending against the individual.
While the official government orders did not explicitly state the reasons for the suspension, reliable sources within the administration have indicated that the action is directly linked to significant delays in the procurement process for smartphones intended for Anganwadi workers across the state.
Consequences and Posting During Suspension
As a result of the suspension, both officers will be attached to the state headquarters located in Chandigarh. During this period of suspension, they will only receive a subsistence allowance, as per standard protocol for such disciplinary actions.
- Kamal Kishor Yadav is a seasoned officer from the 2003 batch of the IAS.
- Jaspreet Singh is a relatively younger officer from the 2014 batch.
Broader Administrative Reshuffle in the Matter
In a related development, it has been learned that the state government has also transferred two additional IAS officers in connection with the same matter. This suggests a broader administrative review and reshuffle aimed at addressing the issues surrounding the delayed smartphone procurement project for Anganwadi workers, who play a crucial role in child care and early education at the grassroots level.
The suspension of these two senior officials underscores the Punjab government's intent to enforce accountability and ensure timely implementation of welfare schemes, particularly those impacting frontline workers in the social sector.
