VB recommends SSP Bhagtana’s extension
BATHINDA: Despite drawing flak from the Opposition for not fulfilling its promise of providing jobs to unemployed Punjab youth, the Congress government in the state seems not to be hesitant to adjust the ‘blue-eyed’ officers, even after their retirement.
The Punjab vigilance bureau’s (VB’s) nod to the extension of services of Bathinda VB senior superintendent of police (SSP) Jagjit Singh Bhagtana, post his retirement, is one such instance.
Bhagtana is slated for retirement on April 30 after he turns 60. He had moved an application with the Punjab VB chief director seeking to extend his services, which was accepted.
Bhagtana is considered close to leaders in the ruling party. He had served as SHO at Lambi and DSP at Gidderbaha in Muktsar, which was the constituency of finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, the then Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) legislator. Bhagtana had taken charge as SSP (VB) Bathinda in April, 2017, post change in regime.
VB chief director BK Uppal said Bhagtana was a good and efficient officer and the department needed his services. “That is why I recommended for his extension,” he added.
Uppal said he had put forth his recommendation on the written application which was submitted by Bhagtana himself. The chief director, however, said though he dealt with the file few days ago, he was unaware about its present status.
The file is learnt to have been cleared by the finance department and is with the department of home affairs.
Despite repeated attempts, comments of either finance department principal secretary Anirudh Tewari or home affairs department additional chief secretary Dr Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi could not be elicited.
Bhagtana has also confirmed that he had moved an application for the extension of his services in the department.