In Punjab, another resignation from the IAS cadre has emerged, with Mr. Karnail Singh, an officer from the 2015 batch, stepping down on Wednesday. Mr. Singh’s decision came after he was left without an assignment following his dismissal as the Deputy Commissioner of Kapurthala on January 30. It was reported by those close to Mr. Singh that the lack of a new role had left him distressed.
Having submitted his resignation to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Anurag Verma, the formal approval process now requires the nod from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and subsequently, clearance from the Department of Personnel and Training at the Government of India. The Chief Minister, who was in Delhi for a meeting with Mr. Arvind Kejriwal at Tihar Jail, is expected back in Punjab on Friday.
Previously serving as a staff officer to the ex-Chief Secretary V K Janjua, Mr. Singh is on the verge of retirement, set for September 30. His resignation adds to Punjab’s ongoing challenge of a shortage in IAS officers, prompting the state to request additional officers from the central government.
Mr. Singh’s departure closely follows that of IAS officer Parampal Kaur, speculated to be the BJP’s candidate for the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, marking him as the second IAS officer to resign in recent times. Mr. Kaur’s resignation is also pending approval.
The scenario of IAS officers awaiting new postings in Punjab isn’t new. Officers including DK Tiwari (1994 batch), Nilkanth Avhad (1999 batch), Ajit Balaji Joshi (2003 batch), Neelima (2008 batch), and Gurpreet Singh Khaira (2009 batch) have previously experienced delays in receiving their postings.
