Why didnt Mann Govt send a panel for SSP Chandigarh post? asks Majithia
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 10, 2026:Senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Bikram Singh Majithia, on Tuesday questioned the Punjab government after a Haryana cadre officer was given charge as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Chandigarh, alleging that the state failed to send a panel of officers for the post.
According to information available, the three-year tenure of Punjab cadre IPS officer Kanwardeep Kaur as SSP Chandigarh ended on March 4, 2026. However, the Punjab government reportedly did not forward a fresh panel of officers to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration, which is a standard administrative requirement before a new appointment is made.
Following the completion of her tenure, Kanwardeep Kaur has reportedly been granted two months’ leave for cadre reversion. During this interim period, Haryana cadre IPS officer Sumerpartap Brar has been given the charge of SSP Chandigarh.
Reacting to the development, Majithia said the situation reflects the lack of seriousness of the government led by Bhagwant Mann in protecting Punjab’s administrative share in the Union Territory.
He pointed out that Chandigarh functions under a long-standing administrative arrangement where officers from Punjab and Haryana are posted in a 60:40 ratio in different departments and key positions. According to him, failure to fill Punjab’s quota posts on time could gradually weaken the state’s administrative presence in the shared capital.
Majithia also cited another instance of what he termed administrative negligence. Two Punjab cadre PCS officers, Rubinder Brar and Harsuhinder Brar, who were serving in Chandigarh, were promoted to the Indian Administrative Service several months ago. However, their Punjab quota posts in Chandigarh remain vacant as the state government has not yet sent a panel to fill them.
He further alleged that while Punjab has not filled its quota posts, the Centre has continued increasing the presence of Haryana cadre officers and inducting officers from the AGMUT cadre into the Chandigarh administration.
Chandigarh has remained a politically sensitive issue since the reorganisation of Punjab in 1966, when the city became a Union Territory and the joint capital of both states. Majithia said the Punjab government must clarify why panels for key posts were not sent on time and what steps it plans to take to ensure Punjab’s share of administrative positions is maintained under the 60:40 arrangement.