CAT raps Akali govt in Punjab for 'arbitrary transfer' of bureaucrats

The rap for the Badal government comes on the eve of the crucial Assembly elections in the state

In a blow to the Shiromani Akali Dal-headed government in Punjab, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has criticised it for its arbitrary transfer of senior bureaucrats. Himmat Singh, a 1980 batch IAS officer was on the pay scale of chief secretary to the state government in 2013 when the Akalis returned to power. As soon as the Badals were in the saddle, they issued an order posting Singh as member secretary, State Women Commission, a joint secretary-level post, denying him a post "equivalent to the status and responsibility to the post of chief secretary". At the time, time Singh was