Shortly after IAS Anindita Mitra was given a reinstatement order by the Union government mandating her to rejoin her previous posting as the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Commissioner — a month after being given a warm farewell in Chandigarh, the government of Punjab refuted the centre’s order and did not relieve her from her present deputation in the state.
This development is unprecedented as the Union decided to extend IAS Mitra’s previous posting, as the Municipal Commissioner of Chandigarh, by three months — that too a month after she returned to her parent cadre in Punjab. It is uncanny that the letter by the central government (about IAS Mitra’s tenure extension) comes when one month out of the three months of extension has already passed.
Some sources in the bureaucracy have maintained that “due to confusion” and Punjab not relieving the officer as she has already assumed the charge of a department, Officer Mitra is not likely to rejoin. The sources stated, “We don’t think that the joining shall be taking place because one month has already lapsed and the name for regular commissioner has also been shortlisted finally. A communication has been sent about the same and the regular commissioner shall be appointed soon.“
Ms. Mitra, a 2007-batch IAS officer, was last posted as the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation commissioner which ended on August 22nd. Hoping that her tenure would get extended, Officer Mitra remained in the UT till the evening of that day, but since no order was issued, she had to return to her parent cadre.
Following her departure, the charge of the municipal corporation (MC) commissioner was given to Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Vinay Pratap Singh (2011 batch). Officer Mitra even joined her new posting in Punjab after coming back from leave and was waiting for further clarification on the issue.
“The appointment committee of the cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for extension of tenure of Anindita Mitra, IAS to the post of Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Union Territory administration of Chandigarh on Inter Cadre Deputation from Punjab Cadre to AGMUT cadre (Chandigarh segment) for a period of three months beyond August 22, 2024,” the order issued by the central government read.
Since IAS Mitra was not given an extension earlier, a panel from the Punjab government had even been sent to the Chandigarh Administration for the selection of a new commissioner for the civic body. In August itself, the Punjab government had sent a panel of three IAS officers – Amit Kumar, Ramvir, and Girish Dayalan – who were frontrunners for the post of MC Commissioner.
Mr. R K Garg, the President of the Second Innings Association, described this extension as a ‘goof up’ on the part of the central government. He said, “This goof-up on the part of the central government has created a bad situation in the UT where an officer was relieved and joined elsewhere. This shows the weakness of the Chandigarh Administration as it has failed to realise the situation in the city and is not able to garner support from the MHA as well.” He further mentioned, “Regarding the delay in deputations in Chandigarh, I also raised the issue with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also to which the UT has not replied properly.“
