The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is facing strong criticism from Opposition parties over its recent decision to make the Chief Secretary — a top bureaucrat — the head of all urban development authorities, replacing the Chief Minister.
The move, approved by the state Cabinet on Saturday, will need an amendment to the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development (PRTPD) Act. It comes shortly after the government announced its new land pooling policy aimed at developing townships near cities like Ludhiana, where over 24,000 acres of farmland may be acquired.
Opposition leaders are calling this a dangerous shift in power. They believe it gives control of Punjab’s planning decisions to Delhi-based AAP leaders, especially Arvind Kejriwal, and sidelines Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
“This is not a routine policy change — it’s a clear attempt to take over Punjab from Delhi,” said Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa. “CM Mann has been reduced to a puppet.”
State Congress president Amrinder Raja Warring echoed the concerns, asking, “Why is there a hurry to make this change now? What’s the real motive?”
Shiromani Akali Dal’s Daljit Cheema said the decision goes against the 1995 Act, which clearly names the CM as the head of the board. “Making the Chief Secretary the head where ministers are already members weakens the authority of elected representatives,” he said.
The BJP also hit out at the government, with national leader Tarun Chugh calling it a “bureaucratic coup” and a way to let Kejriwal and his team control Punjab’s resources.
In response, Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora defended the decision, saying it was made to speed up development work. “There’s no threat to the CM’s authority. He still heads the Cabinet and the Punjab Urban Development Authority. This change is just to avoid unnecessary delays,” he said.
While the debate continues, the larger question remains — who should control key decisions about Punjab’s land and development: elected leaders or top officials?
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