What tricity is talking about | Former UT finance secy is Punjab CS

FORMER UT FINANCE SECY IS PUNJAB CS

The news of Karan Avtar Singh taking over as the chief secretary of Punjab instantly became the talking point in the UT secretariat. The 1984batch Punjab-cadre officer had served as the UT finance secretary a few years ago, and now he’s back in favour with the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government after the ouster of Akalis. Not only Karan, another state-cadre officer KAP Sinha — who had served as the joint secretary (finance) in UT — is also much in demand in Punjab. “So, we’ve our own CS in Punjab now,” said an employee.

FALLOUT OF PUNJAB REGIME CHANGE IN UT

The results of Punjab assembly elections are always keenly watched by the babus in Chandigarh because it has a direct impact on the appointments here. Punjab sends key officers to UT on deputation and incidentally most of these posts are being filled these days. For example, UT senior superintendent of police (SSP) and finance secretary are Punjab-cadre posts. The Badal government did send a panel for both the posts but with the change in regime, everyone is curious whether a new panel of officers would come in.

JUNIOR KHURANA IN BOLLYWOOD FLICK

‘Badrinath ki Dulhaniya’, the recently released Bollywood flick, has a local connection. Aparshakti Khurana, brother of Ayushmann Khurrana, has done a cameo in the movie and is being acclaimed by critics. This is Aparshakti’s second movie. His debut role in Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal was also lauded. Seeing both sons do well in Bollywood, P Khurrana, an astrologer, is jubilant. “I told him two things: No role is big or small, and two, don’t ask for support from your brother. That’s what he does,” says their astrologer father.

THE MOOT QUESTION OVER MULLANPUR’S FATE

With the change of regime in Punjab, the moot question that has emerged is — what will happen to New Chandigarh or Mullanpur, an area that the previous Punjab government (read former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal) projected as a city on a par with Chandigarh? A lot of development has taken place in the area, with roads being spick and span by and large, and big realtors like the DLF and Omaxe developing properties there. Many city residents have also invested in Mullanpur not only because it’s cheaper than SAS Nagar and other areas, but also that it is not very far from two important places — the PGI and Panjab University. All of them are hoping that with the power changing hands in Punjab, their investments won’t be affected.

(arvind.chhabra@hindustantimes.com)