Punjab Government Sends IAS Panel to Chandigarh

The Punjab government has submitted a new panel of three IAS officers—Basant Garg, Diprava Lakra, and Daljit Singh Mangat—to the Chandigarh administration for the post of finance secretary, which has been vacant since June 18. This follows the rejection of a previous panel by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which included officers from different batches. Garg is currently on central government deputation, expected to conclude on September 10. Additionally, the municipal commissioner position remains vacant since August 22, after Anindita Mitra's tenure ended, and Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh is temporarily overseeing the role. The Punjab government had previously failed to obtain a no-objection certificate for Mitra's extension, leading to the current situation. The administration is awaiting another panel from Punjab to fill the municipal commissioner post.