Punjab Government Takes Strict Action Over Smartphone Procurement Delays
The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has taken decisive administrative action by suspending two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and transferring two other officials. This move comes in response to significant delays in the procurement of smartphones intended for Anganwadi workers under the central government's Poshan Abhiyan nutrition scheme.
Suspension of Senior Bureaucrats
According to official orders issued by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, 2003-batch IAS officer Kamal Kishor Yadav and 2014-batch officer Jaspreet Singh have been suspended with immediate effect. The suspension has been implemented under Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
Both officers will remain attached to the state headquarters in Chandigarh and will receive subsistence allowances during their suspension period. Prior to their suspension, Yadav served as Administrative Secretary for Industries and Commerce as well as Investment Promotion, while Jaspreet Singh was the Managing Director of Punjab Information & Communication Technology Corporation Limited (Punjab INFOTECH).
The Procurement Controversy
The controversy centers around Punjab's failure to procure 28,515 smartphones needed to track nearly 12 lakh beneficiaries under the Poshan Abhiyan scheme using face recognition technology. The scheme, launched in 2018, had allocated Rs 27 crore to the Department of Social Security and Women and Children Development for smartphone procurement.
The total project cost was initially estimated at Rs 34 crore, with funding shared between the central government and Punjab state in a 60:40 ratio. The Social Security Department had entrusted Punjab INFOTECH with the responsibility of procuring mobile phones for distribution to Anganwadi workers.
However, the procurement process encountered multiple delays. The state government initially invited tenders for 4G-enabled phones before deciding to upgrade to 5G devices, leading to a substantial cost escalation to nearly Rs 60 crore.
Additional Administrative Reshuffling
Beyond the suspensions, the government has transferred IAS officer Vikas Pratap, who was handling the charge of Additional Chief Secretary, and PCS officer Anand Sagar Sharma, who served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Social Security. While no fresh posting has been assigned to Vikas Pratap, Sharma has been posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner in Gurdaspur.
Strategic Departmental Reassignments
In a significant development, the government has handed over two strategically important departments to Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, who had remained without an official posting for eleven months. Singh, who was removed as Home Secretary on March 24, 2025, has now been appointed as Administrative Secretary for Social Security, Women & Child Development, replacing Vikas Pratap.
Gurkirat Kirpal Singh has also been given charge of Administrative Secretary positions in the Industries and Commerce, Investment Promotion, and Information Technology departments. These appointments carry substantial political and administrative significance.
The Social Security and Women and Child Development Department plays a crucial role in implementing the ruling Aam Aadmi Party's key poll promise of providing Rs 1,000 per month to women voters. This department will be responsible for executing the scheme, maintaining women's data, and formulating implementation rules.
Meanwhile, the Investment Promotion charge assumes importance as the government prepares to organize an investors summit scheduled from March 13 to 15. Interestingly, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh's fresh posting orders come barely a month after he was denied promotion to the position of Principal Secretary.
Last-Minute Changes and International Implications
In a notable development, the government divested Kamal Kishor Yadav of the Investment Promotion charge at the last minute. Yadav had been actively preparing for the upcoming investors summit and had accompanied Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to various locations to invite potential investors.
Furthermore, Yadav was scheduled to be part of a delegation led by Chief Minister Mann that was supposed to travel to the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. However, the delegation could not board their flight as the Ministry of External Affairs did not grant the mandatory political clearance required for such international visits.
Additional Administrative Appointments
The government has made several other key administrative appointments:
- Dr. S. Karuna Raju, who recently returned from central deputation, has been appointed as Chief Resident Commissioner at Punjab Bhawan in New Delhi, replacing Varun Roozam.
- IAS officer Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar has been given additional charges as Director of Higher Education and Managing Director of Punjab INFOTECH.
- Rambir Singh has been relieved of his charge as Secretary of the Mandi Board and will now serve as Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department and Commissioner of Jalandhar.
- Kumar Amit has been assigned the charge of Secretary of the Mandi Board while continuing to hold his previous portfolios, including Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
This comprehensive administrative reshuffle reflects the Punjab government's determination to address bureaucratic delays while strategically positioning key officials in departments critical to implementing flagship welfare schemes and promoting economic development through investment initiatives.
