Sat Feb 22 07:39:19 UTC 2025: ## Punjab Minister Headed Non-Existent Department for 20 Months: BJP

**Chandigarh, February 22, 2025** – A controversy has erupted in Punjab after it was revealed that state Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal headed a non-existent department, the Department of Administrative Reforms, for 20 months. The revelation, stemming from a recent government notification, has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of making a mockery of governance. He pointed out on X (formerly Twitter) that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was apparently unaware that a minister was in charge of a department that did not exist.

A February 21st Gazette notification clarified that the Department of Administrative Reforms, previously allocated to Mr. Dhaliwal, “is not in existence as on date.” This followed a cabinet reshuffle in September 2024, which saw several ministerial appointments and portfolio reallocations. While Mr. Dhaliwal retained the NRI Affairs portfolio, the Administrative Reforms portfolio has been rescinded.

The incident has raised questions about the efficiency and oversight within the Punjab government. The AAP is yet to officially respond to the accusations.

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