Punjab Transfers 2 IAS Officers; B. Srinivasan Given Additional Charge of Mines & Geology, Abhijeet Kaplish Appointed Full-Time PEDA CEO
Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has carried out a minor but strategically important bureaucratic reshuffle, reassigning responsibilities to two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in an effort to strengthen the functioning of key departments dealing with mining and renewable energy. The latest administrative changes see B. Srinivasan (IAS:2011) taking over the additional charge of Director, Mines & Geology, while Abhijeet Kaplish (IAS:2015) has been appointed as the full-time Chief Executive Officer of the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA).
The transfer orders, issued with immediate effect, were approved by the competent authority and communicated through the office of the Chief Secretary. Both officers have been directed to assume charge of their revised assignments without delay, ensuring a seamless transition in the departments concerned.
Although limited to two officers, the reshuffle reflects the Punjab Government’s continued focus on strengthening governance in sectors that are crucial to the state’s economic growth, natural resource management and clean energy ambitions.
B. Srinivasan Entrusted with Additional Charge of Mines & Geology
Among the key decisions announced by the state government is the appointment of B. Srinivasan, a 2011-batch IAS officer, as the Director of Mines & Geology on an additional charge basis.
Srinivasan will continue to serve as the Managing Director of Punjab State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (PUNSUP) while simultaneously overseeing the Mines & Geology Department.
The dual assignment places him in charge of two significant portfolios, reflecting the government’s confidence in his administrative capabilities and experience.
Current Responsibilities
Following the latest order, B. Srinivasan will hold the following positions:
Managing Director, Punjab State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (PUNSUP)
Director, Mines & Geology (Additional Charge)
He succeeds Abhijeet Kaplish, who has now been relieved of the responsibility of heading the Mines & Geology Department.
The Mines & Geology Department plays a critical role in regulating mining activities across Punjab, overseeing mineral resource management, granting mining leases, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and monitoring the extraction of minor minerals.
By assigning the department to an experienced IAS officer already handling a major public sector organisation, the government aims to maintain continuity in administration while ensuring efficient oversight of the sector.
Abhijeet Kaplish Gets Full-Time Role at PEDA
The second major decision in the reshuffle concerns Abhijeet Kaplish, a 2015-batch IAS officer, who has now been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) on a regular basis.
Before this order, Kaplish had been serving as Director, Mines & Geology while simultaneously holding the additional charge of Chief Executive, PEDA.
The latest posting formally relieves him of his mining portfolio and allows him to concentrate exclusively on leading Punjab’s premier renewable energy agency.
Previous Responsibilities
Prior to the reshuffle, Kaplish was serving as:
Director, Mines & Geology
Chief Executive, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) – Additional Charge
New Assignment
Following the latest government order, he will now serve as:
Chief Executive, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA)
The appointment effectively regularises his leadership of PEDA and gives the organisation a dedicated full-time chief executive at a time when renewable energy is becoming an increasingly important component of Punjab’s development strategy.
Dedicated Leadership for Renewable Energy Sector
The Punjab Energy Development Agency serves as the state’s nodal institution for promoting renewable energy, energy conservation and sustainable power generation.
The agency is responsible for implementing a wide range of programmes related to:
Solar energy projects
Biomass and bioenergy initiatives
Energy efficiency programmes
Green energy policies
Promotion of clean technologies
Renewable energy investments
Coordination with central government schemes
By appointing Abhijeet Kaplish as its full-time Chief Executive, the Punjab Government is expected to provide stronger administrative focus to the state’s clean energy initiatives and accelerate the implementation of renewable energy projects.
The move also comes at a time when both the Central and State Governments are placing greater emphasis on expanding renewable energy capacity, reducing carbon emissions and encouraging sustainable development.
Immediate Assumption of Charge Ordered
The transfer notification makes it clear that the revised postings come into force immediately.
The Chief Secretary has directed both officers to take charge of their new responsibilities without delay to ensure that the functioning of the concerned departments continues smoothly.
Such immediate implementation of transfer orders is intended to avoid any administrative vacuum and maintain continuity in governance.
Administrative Realignment Across Key Sectors
Although the reshuffle involves only two IAS officers, it affects departments that have strategic importance for Punjab’s economic and developmental priorities.
The Mines & Geology Department is responsible for regulating mineral extraction, ensuring compliance with mining laws and preventing illegal mining activities.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Energy Development Agency plays a vital role in advancing the state’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy.
By redistributing responsibilities between experienced officers, the government appears to be seeking a balance between administrative continuity and greater institutional focus.
Government Continues Fine-Tuning Bureaucratic Leadership
Minor administrative reshuffles such as this are a routine part of governance and are often aimed at aligning officers’ experience with evolving departmental priorities.
The latest orders demonstrate the Punjab Government’s effort to strengthen leadership in important sectors without undertaking a large-scale bureaucratic overhaul.
While B. Srinivasan assumes additional responsibility for the Mines & Geology Department alongside his existing role at PUNSUP, Abhijeet Kaplish will now devote his full attention to steering the Punjab Energy Development Agency as its regular Chief Executive Officer.
The appointments are expected to provide administrative stability, improve departmental coordination and support the government’s broader objectives in resource management, infrastructure development and renewable energy expansion across the state.
