(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM) In a sweeping administrative overhaul, the Punjab Government has reassigned several top bureaucrats, affecting 36 IAS and 7 PCS officers. The changes, announced on Monday, aim to bring fresh leadership to crucial departments.

Krishan Kumar has been entrusted with the influential Finance Department while continuing his role as Principal Secretary of Water Resources. His previous charge, the Taxation Department, now falls under Jaspreet Talwar, who recently earned a promotion to Additional Chief Secretary.

The Rural Development Department has also seen significant shifts following an inquiry into the alleged sale of village pathways in New Chandigarh to a private builder. As a result, Dilraj Singh and Paramjit Singh have been replaced by Ajit Balaji Joshi and Uma Shankar Gupta as Secretary and Director, respectively. Interestingly, Neelima, another officer from the Agriculture Department, has been moved as well. She now heads the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), with Babita stepping in as the new Agriculture Commissioner.

In a notable swap, Rahul Tiwari and Vikas Garg have exchanged their postings—Tiwari now leads the Food and Supply Department, while Garg takes over Housing and Urban Development.

Meanwhile, V.K. Meena has been appointed head of the Social Justice and Minorities Department, and Alaknanda Dayal will now oversee Employment Generation and Skill Development. Additionally, Varinder Kumar Sharma takes charge as Director of the Food and Supply Department.

Other key appointments include Gauri Prashar Joshi, who has been assigned as Secretary in the Department of General Administration, and Anandita Mitra, who replaces K.K. Yadav as the Administrative Secretary in the Education Department.

This large-scale reshuffle marks a strategic shift in Punjab’s bureaucracy, with the government aiming for more efficiency and accountability in governance.