Punjab Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal Managed a Non-Existent Department for 20 Months; BJP Responds

Newa India Official: Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal was found to have managed a non-existent department for nearly 20 months, as revealed by a gazette notification issued by the state’s chief secretary, The Tribune reported.

The notification clarified that a previous Punjab government order allocating the administrative reforms department to Dhaliwal was incorrect, as the department does not currently exist. Following this revelation, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Dhaliwal will now retain only the NRI affairs portfolio in the Punjab cabinet. The decision to amend his portfolio was made by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and took effect on February 7, 2025. Dhaliwal initially handled the agriculture and farmers welfare portfolio before a cabinet reshuffle in May 2023 reassigned him to administrative reforms. He retained the department even after another reshuffle in September 2024, despite its existence being only on paper.

According to unnamed sources cited by The Tribune, the department had no staff or official meetings. The Indian Express further reported that Dhaliwal sought clarity from the government regarding his role, as his department lacked a secretary. Dhaliwal recently made headlines as the NRI affairs minister, particularly in handling deportees arriving from the US in Amritsar. Reacting to the situation, BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the Punjab government, stating on X that it took nearly 20 months for the administration to realize the department never existed. He called AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal a “charlatan” who should be removed from public life.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also condemned the AAP-led Punjab government, remarking that it has turned governance into a joke by assigning a non-existent department to a minister. He added that even the chief minister remained unaware of the issue for almost two years. Shiromani Akali Dal leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also criticised the government, alleging that Punjab ministers have little involvement in governance as the administration is being controlled remotely from Delhi.

Keyword:
Punjab Minister, Kuldeep Dhaliwal, non-existent department, BJP responds, gazette notification, administrative reforms department, Punjab government, Aam Aadmi Party, AAP, NRI affairs portfolio, Punjab cabinet, Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, agriculture and farmers welfare, cabinet reshuffle, September 2024, The Tribune, The Indian Express, deportees, US, Amritsar, BJP leader, Amit Malviya, Arvind Kejriwal, charlatan, public life, BJP national spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, governance, Shiromani Akali Dal, Bathinda MP, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Punjab ministers, administration, Delhi

Newa India Official

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Aryan GulatiFreelance Journalist

Aryan Gulati is a dedicated media student based in Meerut with a wealth of experience in various newspapers and media houses. He has numerous published articles and specializes in political and crime news writing, demonstrating a strong commitment to impactful journalism.

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