As Centre rejects Punjab’s choices for Food Corporation of India GM, Bhagwant Mann writes to Amit Shah
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ‘personally intervene’ and ensure that a Punjab-cadre officer was appointed GM of FCI, Punjab region.
3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Nov 29, 2025 05:14 PM IST
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, right, and actor Binnu Dhillon, left, distribute a tablet to a student during an event organised at the Punjabi University, in Patiala, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (PTI Photo)
A month after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wrote to Union food minister Pralhad Joshi against the Centre’s proposal to appoint an outside-cadre IAS officer at Food Corporation of India (FCI), Punjab, the Centre, it is learnt, has finalised the appointment of a UT-cadre IAS officer as its general manager (GM).
A Punjab-cadre IAS officer has always held the GM position at FCI, Punjab region. Mann has now written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, objecting to the Centre’s move, asking him to instead appoint a Punjab-cadre IAS officer, arguing that the state’s unique security, agricultural and socio-political sensitivities require an officer familiar with ground realities.
In the two-page letter dated November 22, Mann has reminded Shah that Punjab has borne the brunt of decades of militancy, cross-border smuggling and security threats, and continues to sit at the frontline of national security. “The state’s geographical, cultural and social conditions cannot be fully understood by an officer from outside,” Mann has written, adding that the role of GM, responsible for procurement, has direct implications for farmers, state security, and public trust.
Mann pointed to the recent paddy procurement season, when heavy rains caused widespread damage. This, he wrote, made the role even more crucial as the government scrambled to ensure smooth procurement amid distress. Procurement, he argued, is not merely an administrative routine in Punjab but an exercise tied to national food security, border-state stability, and people’s confidence in institutions.
The chief minister also noted that the escalating tensions post the farmers’ protests have made the administrative situation more delicate. “Decisions concerning Punjab must build public trust and strengthen national unity,” he stressed.
Mann said he had earlier conveyed these concerns to the Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution on November 6 as well. According to the letter, he had requested that the ongoing process to appoint a GM be paused to allow reconsideration, warning that appointing an outsider-cadre officer could create “avoidably adverse consequences.” He stated that Punjab had sent a panel of three IAS officers earlier, which was rejected by the Centre. Later, he said, the government sent another panel, which was also rejected.
Mann has also written that despite the minister’s assurance, the Centre seems to be proceeding with the appointment of a non-Punjab cadre officer. Mann has termed the development “unexpected” and said it has caused “deep concern.”
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Reiterating that Punjab has a pool of experienced IAS officers who have handled security, smuggling and procurement challenges, Mann argued that “no state other than Punjab” understands the complexities of FCI’s vigilance network here. He urged Shah to “personally intervene” and ensure that a Punjab-cadre officer is appointed GM so that “trust, administrative continuity and cooperative federalism” are upheld.
Mann also expressed hope that the Centre would reconsider its decision and take a call that “strengthens the credibility of institutions and respects Punjab’s sentiments”.
B Srinivasan, a 2011 batch Punjab-cadre IAS officer, is the current GM of FCI for the Punjab region. His term comes to an end on December 31.
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.
X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More
