- Background: Parampal Kaur, a Punjab-cadre IAS officer, joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in April. Just before joining the BJP, she submitted her resignation to Chief Secretary Anurag Verma. However, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann did not accept her resignation. Despite this, she proceeded to join the BJP and was subsequently named the BJP candidate for the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency, drawing criticism from CM Mann.
- Government’s Response: The Centre intervened with a letter stating that the Government of India, as the recruitment authority, had indeed accepted her resignation. However, the Punjab government issued a notice clarifying that the three-month notice period required under Rule 16 (2) had not been waived, nor had any decision been made regarding her request for VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme). Although she had relinquished her duties as the Managing Director of PSIDC on her own, the state government had not waived the notice period, as per the rules.
- Reasons for Rejection: The notice highlighted that Parampal Kaur had requested the waiver of the three-month notice period, which can only be granted by the state government, provided certain conditions are met and reasons are recorded in writing. The letter also referenced Parampal Kaur’s direct communication with the Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, GOI, regarding her personal circumstances, including her mother’s health and family situation, which led the Centre to insist on the acceptance of her resignation under Rule 3. The government emphasized that no order had been issued regarding the acceptance of her resignation, citing a shortage of IAS officers in the state and noting Parampal’s active involvement in political activities, which contradicted the grounds for voluntary retirement mentioned in her application.
- Disciplinary Action: The notice warned that failure to comply with the instruction to resume duties would result in disciplinary action against her.
