The refusal of two Haryana Civil Service (HCS) officers to join the Chandigarh administration has stirred tensions, adding to the ongoing debate over key postings of officers from the AGMUT cadre in the Union Territory. Anubhav Mehta and Rakesh Sandhu, recently selected for deputation to Chandigarh, have declined the positions, leaving the UT administration frustrated.
The issue comes at a time when both Punjab and Haryana have expressed concerns about AGMUT cadre IAS officers being appointed to significant departments within Chandigarh, sidelining officers from their respective states. The refusal by Mehta and Sandhu has further complicated matters, particularly given the shortage of officers in the UT.
Sources within the Chandigarh administration confirmed that the refusal will be addressed in the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) standing committee meeting on October 25. The UT administration has already prepared notes to raise its concerns over the situation.
“The refusal has come without any clear justification, though internal sources hint at links to the Haryana assembly election results,” said a senior official. This development has not only put the Haryana government in an uncomfortable position but also provided Chandigarh with additional grounds to defend its decisions regarding officer deputations.
The Haryana government had initially proposed six HCS officers for Chandigarh, of whom Mehta and Sandhu were selected following an interview process with senior UT officials. The decision on how to fill the vacant positions—whether by asking Haryana for a new list or selecting from the remaining candidates—will be discussed at the highest levels, involving the Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator.
Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana are also expected to address their grievances over the increasing presence of AGMUT cadre officers in Chandigarh during the upcoming NZC meeting. The refusal by the HCS officers has added to the complexities surrounding officer allocations in the Union Territory.
