The Punjab government has scrapped the so-called Department of Administrative Reforms headed by state Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, which was “not in existence” for 20 months. The move is part of the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government’s major administrative shake-up, which also included the transfer of 21 IPS officers. A gazette notification, issued by the Punjab Chief Secretary on Feb 21, said the decision to scrap the department came on the advice of Chief Minister Mann.
“The Department of Administrative Reforms earlier allotted to Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Cabinet Minister, is not in existence as on date,” the notification said, adding that Dhaliwal will only retain the NRI Affairs portfolio as of now.
As per sources, the AAP government was left red-faced after they realised that the department did not exist despite the Dhaliwal being allocated to head it. The last cabinet reshuffle in Punjab took place in September 2024 when Mann inducted five new ministers and dropped four.