Punjab promotions, posting stalled amid EC restrictions; Employees fear impact on SIR exercise
Shortage of Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars in several tehsils raises concerns over administrative efficiency and field-level implementation of electoral work
Gurpreet Singh
Chandigarh, June 7, 2026: Administrative functioning in Punjab is facing growing challenges as promotions and postings of revenue officials remain pending amid restrictions linked to directives issued by the Election Commission, according to employee representatives.
The situation has reportedly led to a significant shortage of Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars across several tehsils and sub-tehsils in the state, prompting concerns that crucial field-level work related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls could be adversely affected.
Employee leaders claim that despite large-scale preparations underway for the SIR exercise, the absence of adequate officers in the field may hamper its effective implementation. They pointed out that these officers are required to perform important duties related to AERO and AERO-1 assignments under the electoral process.
“While the SIR exercise is of critical importance for both the state and the country, it will be difficult to execute such a massive exercise smoothly without sufficient officers on the ground,” an employee representative said.
According to employee organisations, a letter issued by the Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Punjab, on April 27, 2026, promoted eight Naib Tehsildars as Tehsildars and nine Kanungos as Naib Tehsildars. However, nearly 40 days after their promotions, the 17 officials are still awaiting posting orders and have not been assigned new stations.
The delay, they argue, has worsened the shortage of officers in revenue offices and tehsils, affecting routine administrative work as well as preparations for election-related assignments.
Employee representatives further stated that nine promotional vacancies for the post of Tehsildar are also lying vacant among Superintendent Grade-II (Revenue) officials working in Deputy Commissioners’ offices and the office of the Financial Commissioner (Revenue).
Although the department has reportedly sought service records required for considering these promotions, no orders have been issued so far.
They contend that timely promotions and postings would not only improve the functioning of tehsils but also ensure that the SIR exercise proceeds without disruptions.
Promotions Pending for Over a Year
Employee leaders also alleged that delays are not limited to recent postings. They claimed that promotion cases of nine Superintendents have been pending for nearly a year despite the department having collected the necessary records and documentation.
Calling for immediate intervention, employee representatives urged the Punjab Government and the concerned department to expedite all pending promotion and posting orders. They demanded that newly promoted Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars be deployed without further delay so that vacant positions in tehsils can be filled and essential public services, as well as the ongoing SIR project, can continue smoothly.
The issue has once again highlighted concerns over manpower shortages in the revenue administration at a time when officials are expected to shoulder key responsibilities linked to electoral and public service functions across the state.