After Parampal Kaur joins BJP, Punjab CM Mann says her resignation as IAS officer not accepted yet
Chandigarh, Apr 11: Shortly after Akali Dal leader Sikandar Singh Maluka's daughter-in-law Parampal Kaur Sidhu joined the BJP in New Delhi, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said the state government has not accepted her resignation as an IAS officer yet.
Sidhu and her husband joined the BJP in the presence of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and party national general secretary Vinod Tawde in the national capital.
After Sidhu resigned, her resignation was sent to the chief minister by the chief secretary for his approval. Sidhu was posted as managing director of the Punjab State Industrial Corporation.
"Parampal Kaur ji's resignation as IAS officer has not been accepted by the Punjab government...Biba ji (Sidhu) was in such a hurry to become an IAS earlier... but there is some procedure to leave. Please understand the procedure for resigning. Otherwise, your entire earnings may be at risk," Mann said in a post on X.
However, Union Minister Puri in Delhi said her resignation was accepted on Wednesday.
It is learnt through sources as well that the Centre's Department of Personnel and Training, which is the competent authority, accepted her resignation on Wednesday.
According to the guidelines for processing resignations, the state cadre concerned sends information about dues, if any, against the member of service, and vigilance status of an officer while forwarding resignation application to the central government for acceptance.
Mann said in a statement that Sidhu was in such a hurry to enter politics that her resignation has not even been accepted, but she is "restless" to contest elections.
Mann said it is the chief minister's decision, and also his duty, when and how the resignation is accepted.
"There are some rules and regulations for this, which we have to follow in every situation. The resignation of any officer is not accepted as soon as it is given. It takes some time," he said.
Mann said the government is investigating the reasons behind Sidhu's resignation. "If her motive and objective of resigning are found wrong in the investigation then action will also be taken against her," said the CM.
A 2011-batch IAS officer, Sidhu had put in her papers a few days back, amid speculation that she might join the BJP.
Sidhu was to retire in October this year. She may be fielded from Bathinda Lok Sabha seat which is currently represented by Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Sidhu is the daughter-in-law of Maluka who is a senior Akali Dal leader and former minister. Maluka is the member of the SAD's manifesto committee formed for 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
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Karnataka rolls out climate action plan to tackle global warming: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru (PTI): Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said that a Karnataka state action plan on climate change has been formulated to mitigate the impact of global warming and climate change, and directions have been issued to ensure its proper implementation.
Speaking after presiding over a seminar on extreme heat and its impact on Bengaluru, organised by the Karnataka Media Academy, he said the Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), which comes under the environment department, has taken steps to implement the action plan in coordination with various state government departments.
He said training programmes are being organised in cooperation with zilla panchayat offices for district officials and other related institutions regarding the implementation and progress of the Karnataka state action plan on climate change.
The Forest, Ecology and Environment minister said such programmes will be conducted in all 31 districts of Karnataka.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s office, in terms of climate resilience, Khandre said a dedicated radio programme, “Havamaana Mitra” (weather friend), was launched in April 2025 to share information on best practices, and 24 programmes have so far been broadcast on Akashvani.
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He said these efforts aim to create public awareness.
Khandre emphasised that due to global warming and climate change, even seasons are changing today.
“Keeping this in mind, after becoming Forest Minister, I have been making every effort to increase green cover, especially in Bengaluru city,” he said.
He noted that during the last three years, about 11 crore saplings have been planted in the state, and information on their survival rate has been made available on the Forest Department website.
According to him, encroachments on about 250 acres of forest land worth around Rs 10,000 crore in several parts of Bengaluru, including Kothanur, Kadugodi, B M Kaval, and Turahalli, have been cleared.
Thousands of saplings have been planted and groves created on the cleared land, thereby preserving lung spaces essential for Bengaluru city.
The minister also recalled that more than 400 acres of forest land in Peenya plantation had earlier been allotted to the central government-owned HMT for industrial purposes.
He said HMT had sold 160 acres of this land, while 280 acres remain, and a decision has been taken to reclaim it for the department to preserve an essential lung space for Bengaluru. A legal battle is underway, and the case is currently in the Supreme Court.
In addition, he said 444 acres in the Jarakabande area had been allotted to the Indian Air Force. Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, forest land cannot be diverted without due process. Hence, in 2017, the then Deputy Commissioner cancelled the land allotment.
“Steps are now being taken to reclaim this forest land and preserve the green space,” he said.
Khandre also highlighted that the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Gantiganahalli, where the international air show is held once every two years in Bengaluru, is on forest land.
He said 159 acres in Gantiganahalli village is classified as a reserved forest area.
“If the Air Force submits a proposal for diversion and provides alternative land, this area may be considered for transfer; otherwise, steps will be taken to reclaim it for the forest department,” he said.
“The Indian Air Force is presently using this area as a runway. However, the RTC and mutation records are in the name of the Forest Department, and the land has not been legally converted. Hence, this forest land will be reclaimed,” he said.
He added that the government has resolved to construct a major biological park on 153 acres at Madappanahalli in Bengaluru North taluk, and cabinet approval has been obtained.
“The CM will lay the foundation stone next month. This will be the largest park after Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. It would not be incorrect to call this an achievement of the century,” he said.
