Chandigarh: In a significant administrative move, the Punjab government on Saturday suspended two senior IAS officers with immediate effect. According to official orders, Kamal Kishore Yadav (2003 batch) and Jaspreet Singh (2014 batch) have been placed under suspension.
While the suspension orders do not specify the reasons, official sources said the action is linked to a nearly six-year delay in the procurement of smartphones for Anganwadi workers under the Union government’s Mission Saksham Anganwadi scheme. The vendor selected for supplying the devices had reportedly approached the court over the prolonged delay.
In connection with the same matter, two additional IAS officers have been transferred, including Vikas Pratap, who was serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Social Security.
Before his suspension, Yadav was serving as Administrative Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Investment Promotion and Information Technology. Jaspreet Singh was the Managing Director of the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Corporation Limited.
Both officers have been suspended under Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, and have been directed to remain stationed in Chandigarh during the suspension period.
Meanwhile, IAS officer Gurkirat Kirpal Singh has been assigned charge of the Industries, Investment Promotion and Social Security departments. He had remained without a posting for the past 11 months.
The suspensions add to a series of similar actions in recent years. In February 2025, Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Tripathi was suspended following serious corruption allegations. Earlier, in August 2023, senior IAS officers D.K. Tiwari and Gurpreet Singh Khaira were suspended over a technically flawed decision related to the dissolution of panchayats.
