Punjab govt withdraws order on Mohali SE post within 24 hours

In an unusual administrative turnaround, the Punjab government withdrew within 24 hours its own order that had relieved Chief Engineer (Civil) Naresh Batta of his additional charge as Superintending Engineer (Civil) at the Municipal Corporation, Mohali. Both official letters, issued on November 20 and 21, have been accessed by The Indian Express.

On November 20, a communication signed by Tejveer Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Local Government, stated, “The additional charge of the post of Superintending Engineer (Civil) given to Naresh Batta, Chief Engineer (Civil), Headquarters Chandigarh at Municipal Corporation, Mohali is withdrawn with immediate effect.”

The order was circulated to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Mohali, and to Batta for necessary action.

However, on the very next day, November 21, another official communication from the Local Government Department quashed the earlier order, effectively restoring Batta’s position.

The subsequent letter, issued by Superintendent, stated: “Orders issued regarding withdrawal of additional charge of the post of Superintending Engineer (Civil) given at Municipal Corporation, are hereby quashed.”