CHANDIGARH : The Punjab Government has denied reports about the likely appointment of former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal as Vice Chairperson of the Punjab State Planning Board being linked to the retention of her Government accommodation in Chandigarh’s high-security Sector 2.

An official spokesperson clarified here on Sunday that the suggestion that Bhattal’s likely appointment was to facilitate her in retaining the said accommodation was unfounded.

If Bhattal was appointed to the coveted post, which was previously held by eminent industrialist Rajinder Gupta and former Punjab BJP Chief Prof. Rajinder Bhandari, it would be on account of her vast experience and expertise in state administration as former Chief Minister, said the spokesperson.

With Bhandari’s resignation, one of the two posts of Vice Chairperson, Punjab Planning Board, had fallen vacant, and the same had to be filled, following proper procedure, said the spokesperson.

Any move to link the possible appointment of Bhattal with enabling her to retain the government accommodation was a complete figment of imagination, the spokesperson said, rejecting outright reports to this effect appearing in a section of the media.