The Punjab Government has ordered the immediate transfer and posting of three senior IAS officers on administrative grounds, and as per the order issued by the Governor of Punjab, Department of Personnel (IAS Branch):
Anurag Verma, IAS (1993) has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, with additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Transport, while Jaspreet Talwar, IAS (1995) has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management, with continued additional charge of Mines and Geology, and Justice.
Arshdeep Singh Thind, IAS (2004) has been posted as Administrative Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayats, with additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Planning, and continued additional charge of Horticulture.
All officers have been directed to join their new assignments immediately.
The investigation relates to alleged irregularities and violations of regulations connected with projects associated with Suntec City and Altus Space Builders in Mohali and the agency is examining decisions and approvals linked to the projects and is looking into whether any rules were violated or whether undue benefits were extended to builders.
Verma's role is under scrutiny because he served as the head of Punjab's Department of Housing and Urban Development during the period relevant to the investigation and the ED is examining decisions taken and approvals granted during this period as part of its probe into the alleged irregularities.
The case has also brought other senior administrative officers under the agency's scrutiny.
