Journalist Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
4 February
Source of information: Twitter or X.com
Sukhpal Singh Khera
Punjab MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging misuse of administrative machinery by the AAP government. He claims a proposed caste and drug census seeks intrusive personal data for political gains, urging Centre’s intervention to protect civil service neutrality and citizens’ privacy in Punjab today.
To
Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi of India
(Through the Hon’ble Minister, Department of Personnel & Training)
Government of India
New Delhi
Dated-04.02.2026
Subject: Request for Immediate Intervention Regarding Alleged Misuse of Administrative Machinery in Punjab Involving the Office of the Chief Secretary, Punjab
Respected Prime Minister ji,
I write to you with deep concern regarding a matter that strikes at the very root of administrative neutrality, citizens’ privacy, and the integrity of our democratic processes.
It has come to my notice that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government in Punjab is allegedly exerting pressure on the Chief Secretary, Punjab, to initiate the collection of extensive personal data of voters across the state, at the expense of the public exchequer, in a manner that raises serious apprehensions of political misuse for electoral gains.
As per information available, the Chief Secretary has issued directions relating to a so-called “Caste and Drug Census,” under which officials are required to seek responses to as many as 127 personal questions from citizens. These reportedly include highly sensitive details such as Aadhaar and PAN card information, caste, religious beliefs, which Dera an individual visits, opinions regarding the war against drugs and gangsters, and satisfaction levels with government schemes such as free electricity. The nature and scope of these questions go far beyond any legitimate administrative or welfare purpose and appear intrusive, discriminatory, and politically motivated.
I am informed that three villages have been selected as pilot locations for this exercise one each from Malwa (Lalru), Doaba (Amritpur, Sultanpur Lodhi), and Majha (Kotli Shah, Ajnala). There is a strong apprehension that this pilot may be expanded into a statewide survey, potentially enabling the ruling party to build a political database of voters ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
If true, this would amount to a grave misuse of the civil services and public funds for partisan objectives. The Chief Secretary, being a senior officer of the All India Services cadre, is expected to function with complete political neutrality and strictly within the framework of law, constitutional propriety, and service conduct rules. Any direction compelling the bureaucracy to undertake politically aligned data collection undermines public trust and the credibility of the administrative system.
In view of the above, I respectfully request that the Government of India, through the Department of Personnel & Training, urgently examine this matter and issue appropriate directions to ensure that:
1.The Chief Secretary and other civil servants are not made to undertake any exercise that serves partisan political interests.
2.No personal or sensitive data of citizens is collected without clear legal sanction, defined public purpose, and adequate safeguards for privacy and data protection.
3.The neutrality and independence of the civil services are strictly upheld in Punjab.
I trust that you will treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves and take prompt steps to safeguard both citizens’ rights and the sanctity of the administrative machinery.
Yours sincerely,
Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA, Punjab
@PMOIndia @CsPunjab @BhagwantMann @ArvindKejriwal @AamAadmiParty