Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], February 22: BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari has criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for what he termed a “mockery of governance” in Punjab, after it was revealed that State Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal had been overseeing a “non-existent” department for 20 months.
In a post on X, Bhandari remarked, “AAP has made Governance in Punjab a joke! The AAP Minister ran a department for 20 Months that never existed! Imagine that for 20 months, the CM did not even know that a minister was running a ‘NON EXISTENT DEPARTMENT.'”
The controversy emerged following a Punjab government Gazette notification released on February 21, which clarified that Dhaliwal, who currently holds the NRI Affairs portfolio, was assigned the charge of the Department of Administrative Reforms—an entity that the government now acknowledges does not exist.
The notification stated, “In partial modification of Punjab Government Notification No. 2/1/2022-2Cabinet/2230 dated September 23, 2024, regarding allocation of portfolios amongst the Ministers, the Department of Administrative Reforms earlier allotted to Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Cabinet Minister is not in existence as on date.”
The issue came to light months after the last cabinet reshuffle in Punjab, which took place in September 2024. At that time, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann removed four ministers, inducted five new members into his cabinet, and reassigned various portfolios.
The newly inducted ministers included Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Barinder Kumar Goyal, Ravjot Singh, Hardeep Singh Mundian, and Mohinder Bhagat, who were sworn in at Raj Bhavan.
CM Bhagwant Mann retained control over eight key ministries, including Home Affairs & Justice, Legal & Legislative Affairs, and Sports & Youth Services. Harpal Singh Cheema was assigned four ministries, including Finance, Planning, and Excise & Taxation, while Aman Arora took charge of five portfolios, such as New & Renewable Energy Sources and Employment Generation & Training.
Dr. Baljit Kaur was allocated two ministries, including Social Justice Empowerment & Minorities, whereas Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal was assigned NRI Affairs along with the now-defunct Administrative Reforms department. Dr. Balbir assumed responsibility for Health & Family Welfare as well as Medical Education & Research. Harjot Singh Bains received the Technical Education and Industrial Training, Information & Public Relations, and two other departments. Harbhajan Singh was put in charge of the Power and Public Works (B&R) departments.
The revelation regarding the non-existent department has fueled criticism of AAP’s governance, with opposition leaders questioning the efficiency and oversight of the Punjab administration.