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EC, Punjab govt in official row

The Election Commission and the Punjab government are at loggerheads with each other over the appointment of the deputy commissioner

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CHANDIGARH: The Election Commission and the Punjab government are at loggerheads with each other over the appointment of the deputy commissioner in Amritsar where the Vidhan Sabha by-election is slated for May 22.

The Election Commission on Thursday transferred KS Pannu as deputy commissioner, who also functions as a returning officer, on a complaint from Congress leaders. The Congress complained that Pannu had given an advertisement for making fresh appointments in the government.

Without consulting the state government or confirming the charges, the Commission ordered his removal with immediate effect and appointed Rahul Bhandari in his place. But since Bhandari belongs to Amritsar, the state informed the EC that he could not be posted there.

The state government on Friday sent names of three IAS officers —Tejvir Singh, VB Singh, and Bhagwant Singh —for consideration of the Commission. But the EC overruled all of them and instead picked another IAS officer, Jaspreet Talwar, to succeed Pannu.

The state government expressed its inability later in the day to appoint her immediately since she is on a training course in Mussourie. With the by-election less than a week away, the absence of a deputy commissioner is expected to create a piquant situation.
b_ajay@dnaindia.net
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