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Punjab Transfers Two Senior IFS Officers in Key Administrative Reshuffle

The Punjab Government has ordered the immediate transfer and posting of two Indian Forest Service officers. Shailender Kaur is now Director of Environment and Climate Change, while Manish Kumar has been posted as Director of Horticulture, effectively swapping their roles. The orders were issued from Chandigarh by the Department of Personnel. This administrative reshuffle follows the recent suspension of two senior IAS officers in the state earlier this month.

Key Points: Punjab Transfers IFS Officers Shailender Kaur, Manish Kumar

  • Immediate transfer on administrative grounds
  • Shailender Kaur moved to Environment & Climate Change
  • Manish Kumar shifted to Horticulture
  • Follows recent suspensions of two IAS officers
2 min read

Punjab Govt orders transfer of two IFS officers with immediate effect on administrative grounds

Punjab govt orders immediate transfer of two IFS officers, Shailender Kaur and Manish Kumar, swapping their roles in environment and horticulture departments.

"placed at the disposal of the Department of Science, Technology & Environment - Official Order"

Chandigarh, February 26

The Punjab Government on Wednesday ordered the transfer and posting of two Indian Forest Service officers with immediate effect on administrative grounds.

According to an official order issued by the Department of Personnel (IAS Branch) under the orders of the Governor of Punjab, Smt. Shailender Kaur, IFS (2000 batch), who was serving as Director, Horticulture on deputation with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, has been placed at the disposal of the Department of Science, Technology & Environment. She has been posted as Director, Environment and Climate Change, and will also hold the additional charge of Special Secretary in the same department in place of Manish Kumar, IFS.

Meanwhile, Manish Kumar, IFS (2006 batch), Director, Environment and Climate Change and Special Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Environment, has been placed at the disposal of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. He has been posted as Director, Horticulture in place of Shailender Kaur.

The order further states that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare shall issue formal orders regarding the repatriation of Shailender Kaur immediately. The Department of Forest and Wildlife Preservation, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare have been directed to issue the requisite formal orders regarding the new postings of the concerned officers.

The orders were issued from Chandigarh on February 26, 2026.

Earlier, this February, the Punjab government placed two senior IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officers under suspension with immediate effect, as per provisions of Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. According to separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel (IAS Branch), Jaspreet Singh, Managing Director of Punjab Information and Communication Technology Corporation Limited (Punjab INFOTECH), was suspended with immediate effect.

In another order, Kamal Kishor Yadav, Administrative Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, who was also holding additional charge as Administrative Secretary, Investment Promotion and Promotion of Information Technology Industry, has been placed under suspension.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the swap between Shailender Kaur and Manish Kumar. It seems like a lateral move. I wonder what the "administrative grounds" specifically are. Transparency in such transfers would build more public trust.
V
Vikram M
Good to see experienced officers being utilized in different departments. Climate change and agriculture are deeply linked. Maybe this transfer is to bring an environmental perspective to horticulture and vice-versa. A smart move, if that's the case.
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Aman W
The article mentions suspensions of IAS officers earlier this month alongside these transfers. Makes you think there's some serious administrative cleanup or restructuring happening in Punjab's bureaucracy. Hope it leads to better governance.
P
Priya S
As a Punjab resident, I just hope such mid-level transfers don't disrupt ongoing projects, especially in agriculture. Farmers need stability in policy and implementation. All the best to both officers in their new roles.
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Nikhil C
With the state's water table issues and stubble burning, the Environment and Climate Change department's work is critical. Hope the new director hits the ground running. The "immediate effect" part seems a bit rushed, though.

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