Haryana Govt Announces Major Officer Reshuffle Amid Poll Schedule

GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 17th August. In a major shake-up, the Haryana government on Friday issued transfer orders affecting 21 IAS officers, 12 IPS officers, and 68 state civil and police services officers, with immediate effect. This decision coincided with the Election Commission’s announcement of the Haryana assembly election date, triggering the Model Code of Conduct.

The assembly elections in Haryana are scheduled for October 1, with results to be declared on October 4. The timing of these transfers has raised concerns, with opposition parties accusing the BJP-led state government of violating the election code.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Haryana senior vice-president Anurag Dhanda criticized the move, alleging it flouted the election code. He questioned how the transfers could occur after the election announcement and urged the Election Commission to address the issue. Dhanda suggested that any officer transfers post-election announcement should be deemed invalid.

Among the key transfers, Vivek Bharti, previously Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer in Sirsa, has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Kaithal, replacing Prashant Panwar.

Jainder Singh Chhilar, formerly Additional DC-cum-District Municipal Commissioner in Charkhi Dadri, will now serve as District Municipal Commissioner in Panipat.

In the police department, Lokender Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP-Security), CID (Headquarters), Panchkula, has been transferred to SP of Panipat, succeeding Ajit Singh Shekhawat, who has been reassigned to SP (Security), CID (Headquarters), Panchkula.

Rakesh Kumar Arya, previously Commissioner of Police, Faridabad, has been moved to Inspector General of Police (IGP) (Law and Order) for Haryana. Narendra Bijarniya, SP, Special Task Force-II (headquarters) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) in Gurugram, will now be SP of Bhiwani.

The reshuffle also includes 65 Haryana Civil Services officers and three Haryana Police Service officers, reflecting a broad overhaul of the administrative and policing framework in the state.