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CHANDIGARH: Days after the arrest of Punjab Cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, the Punjab government has redistributed the key departments previously held by him among other ministers in the Bhagwant Mann Cabinet.
According to an official communication issued by the Punjab government, the Power portfolio has been allocated to Taranpreet Singh Sond, while the Local Government Department has been handed over to Harjot Singh Bains.
The Industries and Commerce as well as Investment Promotion departments, considered among the most significant portfolios in the state government, have been assigned to Aman Arora in addition to his existing responsibilities.
The reshuffle was formalised through a letter issued by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria seeking approval for the reallocation of departments.
In the communication, Mann said the remaining portfolios already allocated to Cabinet ministers would remain unchanged.
The redistribution of departments comes amid mounting political controversy following Sanjeev Arora’s arrest by the ED in connection with an alleged Rs 100 crore GST fraud-linked money laundering case.
Arora, regarded as one of the most influential ministers in the Mann government and a key interface between the Punjab government and the industrial sector, had been handling crucial portfolios, including Power, Industries, Investment Promotion, and Local Government, before his arrest.
The development is being viewed as an attempt by the Punjab government to ensure continuity in governance and administrative functioning while legal proceedings against Arora continue.
