Grain procurement PSU head ousted

Johal, a retired IAS officer, was an appointee of previous food minister and continued without sanction removed

Satwant Singh Johal

The Punjab government has removed retired IAS officer Satwant Singh Johal as the managing director of Punjab State Grains Procurement Corporation Limited (PUNGRAIN), a state-owned procurement agency under the department of food.

An appointee of former food minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Johal has been continued on the post without sanction for the last over six months.

Principal Secretary (Food) K A P Sinha said Johal had been asked to discontinue coming to work with immediate effect. He said the orders were passed after a direction from the personnel department.

Sources in personnel department said Johal was appointed to the post on September 19, 2014, after his retirement as Commissioner of Food and Civil Supplies in August 2014. He was hired on contract for two years. But his contract expired on September 14, 2016. No process was initiated to renew it.

“Since then, he has been continuing in the office. We were shocked when we learnt about it while reviewing the corporations owned by state,” said a functionary of the government adding Johal would not come to the office from Wednesday onwards.

Johal had a long stint with the department of food and remained a director in the department headed by son-in-law minister of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Johal’s appointment as MD of PUNGRAIN had raised many eyebrows following allegations of bending of rules to adjust the retired officer. He was made the first MD of PUNGRAIN ever since its inception despite the corporation’s Articles of Association maintained that the post was to be held only by the director of the department, who was to be the ex-officio MD.

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The department at that time had taken a plea that the procurement agency, responsible for looking after 20 per cent of total procurement operations, needed a regular MD for smooth functioning. His appointment was approved by the former CM on September 19, 2014. Within a few hours of Badal’s clearance, Johal was issued the appointment letter.

Shivdular Singh Dhillon, director (food), would be the ex-officio MD of PUNGRAIN till further orders.

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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