Chandigarh: Ravi Chawla, who served as the technical advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has resigned from his post after the state government reportedly raised concerns about delays in processing development-related files.
According to senior officials, the decision came soon after the termination of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) Director Harjit Singh. Chawla, a retired chief engineer who took on the advisory role in June 2024, was responsible for reviewing and approving technical estimates for infrastructure and public works projects across various departments.
Sources revealed that several complaints had surfaced regarding prolonged pendency of files under his supervision, which allegedly slowed down key development initiatives. Following these concerns, the government directed Chawla to tender his resignation.
“Multiple departments reported delays in obtaining necessary technical approvals, which was impacting project timelines. The Chief Minister’s Office has now instructed departmental engineers and officers to handle technical clearances directly to ensure work progresses on schedule,” said a senior government official.
As technical advisor, Chawla’s duties included providing specialized input on tenders, ensuring compliance with engineering standards, and monitoring quality in state-run construction and infrastructure projects.
The move underscores the Punjab government’s push to expedite administrative procedures and meet development deadlines, especially for projects that had been lagging due to bureaucratic bottlenecks.
