Punjab Government Transfers Two Senior IFS Officers; Shailender Kaur and Manish Kumar Get New Postings
In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Government of Punjab on February 26, 2026, transferred two senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers with immediate effect. The changes were issued by the Department of Personnel (IAS Branch) under the orders of the Governor of Punjab, indicating a strategic realignment across key environment and agriculture-linked departments.
Key Portfolios Reassigned
Shailender Kaur, IFS (2000 batch), who was serving as Director of Horticulture on deputation in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, has now been placed at the disposal of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment. She has been appointed as Director of Environment and Climate Change and will also hold the additional charge of Special Secretary in the same department. She replaces Manish Kumar, IFS in the role.
Manish Kumar, IFS (2006 batch), who was serving as Director of Environment and Climate Change and Special Secretary in the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, has been shifted to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. He will now take over as Director of Horticulture, replacing Shailender Kaur.
Formal Orders and Departmental Instructions
The official order states that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare will issue formal instructions regarding the immediate repatriation of Shailender Kaur from her deputation post. Additionally, the following departments have been directed to issue necessary formal notifications concerning the officers’ new assignments:
Department of Forest and Wildlife Preservation
Department of Science, Technology and Environment
Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
Recent Administrative Developments
Earlier this month, the state government also suspended two senior IAS officers under Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, including Jaspreet Singh, Managing Director of Punjab INFOTECH, as part of broader administrative measures.
The latest reshuffle highlights the state government’s continued focus on restructuring leadership roles within crucial environmental and agricultural departments.
