Action by Rural Development Department: Two Officials Suspended in Punjab

The Punjab Government’s Department of Rural Development and Panchayats has suspended the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) of Ludhiana-1 along with a Panchayat Secretary. The suspended officials have been identified as Rajesh Chadha, BDPO Ludhiana-1, and Satveer Kaur, Panchayat Secretary. The suspension orders were issued by Ajit Balaji Joshi, Administrative Secretary of the department. According to official directions, both officials will be entitled to subsistence allowance during the suspension period as per rules. However, the allowance will be granted only upon submission of a certificate confirming that they are not engaged in any employment or work during this period. During the suspension, their headquarters will remain at the office of the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO), Ludhiana. Meanwhile, the additional charge of BDPO Ludhiana-1 has been assigned to the TDP0 Ludhiana-2. The department has clarified that this additional responsibility will be handled without any extra remuneration, and the officer will continue to draw salary in their existing pay scale.