Punjab minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal found running non-existent department for 20 months; BJP reacts

Punjab minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal was found to have been running a non-existent department in the ministry for close to 20 months, The Tribune reported, citing a gazette notification issued by the chief secretary of the state. The notification said, “In partial modification of the previous Punjab govt notification regarding the allocation of portfolios, among ministers, the department of administrative reforms earlier allotted to Dhaliwal is not in existence as on date.”

Aam Aadmi Party leader Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal will now only hold the portfolio of NRI affairs in the Punjab cabinet. The notification stated that the decision to amend Dhaliwal's portfolio, on the orders of Punjab chief minister Bhagwat Mann, had taken effect on February 7, 2025.

Initially, Dhaliwal held the agriculture and farmers welfare portfolio, which he was shifted from during a Cabinet reshuffle in May 2023. After this, he was given the administrative reforms department.