Departing from the convention of appointing a Punjab cadre IAS officer as the general manager to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Punjab region, the Centre is planning to appoint a UT cadre IAS officer to the post, even as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had in early November cautioned against such a move.
The incumbent FCI GM, Punjab region, B Srinivasan, a 2011-batch Punjab cadre IAS officer, is set to retire on December 31. Before Srinivasan’s retirement, the Centre wants to appoint a UT-cadre IAS officer posted in Delhi, his successor, sources told The Indian Express.
On November 6, Mann sent a demi-official (DO) letter to Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, cautioning, “This will create disharmony and doubts in the minds of farmers, arhtiyas, labourers and other stakeholders.”
“The CM’s letter holds importance as Punjab procures foodgrains to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore annually, and a Punjab cadre officer is well aware of the massive process taking place twice a year. The appointment of an inexperienced officer certainly means problems,” a state government officer said on condition of anonymity.
The CM also reminded the Union minister of the 2020 farmer agitation against the three contentious farm laws, as he further stated: “It is a well-established convention that since the inception of the FCI, a Punjab cadre IAS officer has been appointed the General Manager of the FCI Punjab region, headquartered in Chandigarh. The rationale behind this convention is the critical understanding of ground realities involved in procurement, storage and movement operations. Officers, who have served Punjab at various administrative levels, possess that valuable first-hand experience of these systems essential to effectively managing this highly sensitive and operationally significant post.”
In his letter, Mann said, “Punjab has always been the grain bowl of India, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the nation’s food security. Being a predominantly agrarian state, Punjab’s economy is deeply rooted in agriculture and foodgrain production. A substantial share of foodgrains procured for the central pool originates from Punjab; thus, the smooth functioning of procurement operations in the state is of critical national importance.”
The chief minister said that he understood the Centre did not approve an earlier three-officer panel proposed for the post. “A fresh panel has since been submitted, but to our surprise, it has been brought to my notice, though informally, that an IAS officer from another cadre is being considered for this position. I would like to respectfully submit that if such a thing happens, it will create doubts and disharmony in the minds of farmers, millers, arhtiyas, labourers and other stakeholders. Thus, considering the unique importance of Punjab’s role in the food procurement system and the need for operational efficiency, it would be in the best interest of both the state and the nation that this key post continue to be held by an officer with prior experience in Punjab. This would not only ensure smoother coordination between the state government and the FCI, but also help maintain the momentum of procurement operations critical to India’s food security,” Mann wrote.
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Mann sought the Union minister’s personal attention to get any such decision to appoint an officer from other states reviewed and to select an officer belonging to the Punjab cadre from the panel sent to him. The chief minister said the decision should be taken well in time so that the new officer could assume charge well before the completion of the incumbent officer’s tenure.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
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