The Phantom Department Scandal: AAP Government Under Fire

The AAP government in Punjab is under scrutiny after it was revealed that Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal held charge of a nonexistent department for 21 months. The opposition has criticized the administration's negligence, while AAP defends the decision as bureaucratic restructuring.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab finds itself embroiled in controversy after revelations that a senior minister managed a non-existent department for almost two years. Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal had been overseeing the so-called Administrative Reforms Department, a phantom entity, without any staff, office, or activities.

Following public criticism, the government explained that the department was merged into the new Governance Reforms Department. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann maintained that the changes aimed at streamlining operations within the bureaucracy, ensuring more effective governance.

Despite this, opposition parties, including the BJP and Congress, slammed the Mann administration for apparent disorganization and incompetence. Leaders have called for accountability, claiming the incident underscores broader issues in the management of state affairs.