Row as AAP Delhi spokesperson named PPCB head

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab on Monday appointed the party's Delhi spokesperson, Reena Gupta, as chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), triggering a row with opposition parties slamming the move to name a non-Punjabi for the top post.

- Vishal Rambani

CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab on Monday appointed the party's Delhi spokesperson, Reena Gupta, as chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), triggering a row with opposition parties slamming the move to name a non-Punjabi for the top post.

Apart from Gupta, the Punjab government on Monday appointed 31 people, mostly from the AAP, as chairmen, directors, and members in various government boards and corporations of the state. Gupta will be the first woman chairperson of PPCB and 27th overall since the formation of the board.

According to sources privy to the developments, Gupta was the only candidate from Delhi for the post of PPCB chairperson. "The remaining 27 were mostly from Punjab, including top engineers and two former IAS officers," the official said, pleading anonymity.