4 min readChandigarhUpdated: Aug 19, 2025 08:10 AM IST
Following the reshuffle, Harbhajan Singh is now left with only the Public Works Department, Arora's kitty, meanwhile, swelled to four. (ANI file photo)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Monday carried out a minor reshuffle in his Cabinet, divesting Minister Harbhajan Singh of the department of power and re-allocating it Industry and Commerce Minister Sanjeev Arora.
Following the reshuffle, Harbhajan Singh is now left with only the Public Works Department, Arora’s kitty, meanwhile, swelled to four. Apart from industry and commerce, he was holding the investment promotion and NRI affairs portfolios too.
Sources within the ruling AAP said that CM Mann has sent out a strong message with the reshuffle. The rejig has also highlighted how Arora, who was elected an MLA after he won the June 19 Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll and was inducted as a minister in July, is slowly turning into a power centre within the party and the government.
During the last cabinet expansion in July, Kuldeep Dhaliwal was dropped as a minister and his lone portfolio, NRI affairs, was given to Arora. Portfolios of industry and commerce and investment promotion, which were earlier held by Tarunpreet Singh Sond, were also given to Arora, who was a Rajya Sabha member before being asked by the party to contest the bypoll, which was being seen as a litmus test for the ruling AAP.
Incidentally, hours before the the government issued the notification regarding the portfolio reallocation, Harbhajan Singh held a meeting with the representatives of various unions of power utilities — Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation. During the meeting, the union leaders apprised him of their demands and expressed gratitude to the state government for the recent 10 per cent salary hike.
In a statement, Harbhajan Singh said the Punjab government is committed to the welfare of state employees and assured that all their demands would be met soon.
PSPCL workers had gone on a strike from August 11, demanding the release of pending dearness allowance and restoration of the old pension scheme. They called off their strike on August 14.
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However, sources close to CM Mann said he divested Harbhajan Singh of the power portfolio as he was not able to handle the protest by 15,000 PSPCL employee. The government had to then direct the PSPCL to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and issue a warning of strict penalties.
“The minister was not able to handle the department. The department got into news during peak summer when there were power cuts of 15 hours especially in Mohali. Then there were reports of breakdowns during monsoon. When the monsoon was at its peak, his department employees went on strike. The government had to take strongest measure of invoking ESMA. The government involved Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema to talk to the employees,” said the source.
Under the ESMA, striking employees face possible termination, cancellation of promotions for those on probation and even imprisonment of up to three years along with penalties. The directive had stated that contractual, work-charged, daily wage and contingent staff participating in the strike risk losing their jobs. “It was only after ESMA that the employees called off their strike. Otherwise, it would have been a fiasco,” the source said, adding that “the axe of non-performance was hanging over Harbhajan Singh since early this year”.
Also, it was learnt that the government felt that the industry was unhappy with the department of power. “The rejig has also go to do with handing a complete bouquet of related departments to Arora. There are lots of decisions that are related to industry that have roots in power department. Now, all these departments are with Arora,” said a source.
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He added that Arora, who was not given the post of Deputy Chief Minister was being made more powerful by handing him more departments.
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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