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Chairman-cum-MD of PSPCL: Amid appointment row, Punjab govt changes guidelines

The government issued a notification to “appoint an lAS officer, who has served/is serving in the rank of secretary or above, whether in service or retired, to the post of chairman- cum-managing Director, PSPCL” amending the earlier orders.”

3 min readChandigarhDec 23, 2025 04:20 PM IST

Punjab is preparing to challenge the revamped rural scheme, with Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond set to brief media before a December 30 Vidhan Sabha resolution.(file)

Amid a controversy around a secretary-rank IAS officer given the charge of chairman-cum-Managing Director of PSPCL, Punjab government on Monday amended the rules for the post of CMD of power utility.

The government issued a notification to “appoint an lAS officer, who has served/is serving in the rank of secretary or above, whether in service or retired, to the post of chairman- cum-managing Director, PSPCL” amending the earlier orders.” The notification issued Monday will pave the way for IAS officers of both Principal Secretary and Secretary rank for being eligible for the CMD position.

Previously, when the electricity board was divided into two corporations, an agreement was reached between the government and the engineers of the electricity board that the CMD of Powercom would be a technocrat or an IAS officer atleast of the Principal Secretary or Additional Chief Secretary rank. The Punjab government had been adhering to this agreement until now.

When PSPCL’s CMD, Baldev Singh Sran, retired in February 2025, the government handed over the charge to AK Sinha, the Principal Secretary of the Power Department. But two months ago, he was removed from both the posts of Principal Secretary of the Power Department and CMD, and the charge was given to Basant Garg, a Secretary-rank IAS officer. The engineers challenged this in court, and on November 20, the court asked the state government’s Chief Secretary to submit an affidavit stating whether the CMD post is reserved for IAS officers. If not, then how was an IAS officer appointed as the head of an autonomous body.

Sources say that before responding to the court, the government issued a notification on Monday, amending the old notification that outlined the rules and conditions for the CMD post, stating that a Secretary-rank IAS officer can now also be appointed as CMD.

“It is a violation of tripartite agreement as no consultations were held with signatory employee Associations and unions as per Clause 5 (g) of the tripartite agreement. They have degraded the post of CMD. They have violated the tripartite agreement and it is a serious onslaught. Engineers, employees cannot be mute spectators” said a retired senior officer.

PSEB Engineers’ Association had also lodged their resentment with the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Power Minister Sanjeev Arora over the appointment of a secretary level officer as CMD, PSPCL. “Assigning the charge of CMD, PSPCL, to a Secretary-level officer is inconsistent with the qualifications prescribed under the prevailing Punjab Government notification. This ad-hoc arrangement will not only disrupt the informed decision-making process on these crucial technical positions but also creates a sense of uncertainty and instability in the power sector,” they had stated in a representation.

Kanchan Vasdev

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

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