Tribute to Dr K R Punia IAS turned Haryana Minister
Gustakhi Maaf Haryana – Pawan Kumar Bansal
Tribute to Dr. K. R. Punia, first IAS officer of Haryana, turned Minister
By our enlightened reader Satish Mehra
In the administrative, political, and social history of Haryana, the name of Dr. Kirpa Ram Punia is remembered with great respect and reverence. He was not only the first IAS officer of Haryana, but also a rare personality who left a lasting imprint through his work in the fields of social reform, administration, cooperatives, and politics.
The life of Dr. Kirpa Ram Punia was an exemplary model of simplicity, discipline, and dedication to duty. Even after reaching the highest administrative positions, his lifestyle remained extremely modest. He firmly believed that the dignity of an officer is determined not by rank, but by conduct, impartial decision-making, and commitment to society. This belief guided him throughout his administrative career, and he never allowed pressure or influence to interfere with his responsibilities.
Dr. Punia passed away last year, in 2025, on this very day, at the age of 89. His demise marked the loss of a guiding force not only in politics but also in society—one whose absence is difficult to fill. He was a strong advocate of the farmer and Kamera communities.
Born on 1 January 1936 in Salhawas village of the then Rohtak district, he was the son of Shri Purnchand Punia. He received his early education in the village school and later earned a PhD from Cambridge University. In addition, he completed a diploma in the Russian language and land management, and also pursued LLB studies.
Despite facing hardships and adverse circumstances, he cleared the UPSC examination in 1963 and secured a rank in the IPS. However, his true aspiration was to serve the people as an IAS officer. He again appeared for the UPSC examination and became an IAS officer of the 1964 batch. Although he was initially selected for the IFS, he gave priority to the IAS, chose Punjab as his home cadre, and after the formation of Haryana in 1966, opted to serve his own state. Thus, he became the first IAS officer of Haryana by birth.
During his administrative service, he formulated several welfare schemes for marginal farmers, the poor, and Dalit communities. He is regarded as the architect of the cooperative movement in Haryana. As Registrar of Cooperative Societies, he established Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies and opened avenues for small and poor farmers to access bank credit. As a result, Haryana’s farmers played a crucial role in the Green Revolution.
Dr. Punia embodied the qualities of an efficient administrator, visionary politician, and effective social organizer. Impressed by these abilities, farmer leader and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal brought him into politics in 1986 and inducted him into the Janata Dal. Dr. Punia contested the election from the Baroda (Sonipat) Assembly constituency and won with the highest margin in Haryana at that time. He became a Member of the Legislative Assembly and served as Industry Minister in the Devi Lal cabinet. The industrial policies and incentive programs implemented during his tenure propelled Haryana’s industrial growth to new heights, making the state a national leader in automobile manufacturing today.
Chaudhary Devi Lal held Dr. Kirpa Ram Punia in immense respect and affection and had complete faith in his wisdom and judgment. A notable example was the 1989 Kheri Masania (Jind) incident, when opposition to a proposed visit led Dr. Punia to resign from his ministerial post. Subsequently, Chaudhary Devi Lal persuaded him to return and personally visited the village, inaugurating the Ravidas Bhawan and laying the foundation stone of the Ravidas Temple.
Similarly, in a land dispute involving a Dera in Guhna village of the then Kurukshetra district (now Kaithal), the combined wisdom of Chaudhary Devi Lal and Dr. Punia ensured that Dalit families were provided alternative land and a new village was established near Barwala, named “Devigarh–Punia.” This strengthened social harmony and sent a positive message across the state.
After joining the Indian Administrative Service, Dr. Kirpa Ram Punia inspired his family members, relatives, and youth to pursue education. His brother, Dr. P. L. Punia, became an IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre and is today active in national politics. Other family members also entered administrative services. He emerged as a powerful source of inspiration for young people, and after him, the aspiration to become an IAS officer spread widely across Haryana.
As an administrator and a politician, Dr. K. R. Punia discharged his responsibilities toward the state and society with unwavering integrity, making him a tireless warrior in public life. Today, the farmers, the poor, and the Dalit communities of Haryana pay their heartfelt tribute to him.
Humble Tribute 🙏
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