Two Punjab Revenue Department officers facing disciplinary action have been promoted to the Punjab Civil Services (PCS), triggering criticism from the Opposition and concern within the bureaucracy.Ramandip Kaur, a tehsildar under suspension for allegedly registering property conveyance deeds outside permitted territorial limits under the Registration Act, and Karun Gupta, a District Revenue Officer chargesheeted for an allegedly “biased” role in a land acquisition case, were promoted earlier this month.Their elevation has raised questions in official circles and provided ammunition to Opposition parties to target the Aam Aadmi Party government.Official sources said the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting to consider promotions had been scheduled before the controversies involving the two officers surfaced. Both were among the senior-most officers in the eligibility zone for promotion.“They were in the consideration zone for elevation of 19 revenue officers to the PCS and were called for the interview. The top 16 candidates, based on seniority, were selected,” said a senior government officer. The pending cases would now be handled by the PCS/IAS branch, he added.Sources said the Revenue Department had forwarded 33 names for 16 PCS posts, from which the final selection was made.Opposition leaders Bikram Singh Majithia and Sukhpal Singh Khaira have alleged that the officers were close to a senior bureaucrat and questioned the government for promoting “tainted” officials.‘Nothing illegal’Official sources claimed there was no illegality in both promotions. Four other officers elevated to the PCS also face departmental inquiries, they added. “Their initial service record, considered by the Punjab Public Service Commission, was unblemished… which led to their promotion to the PCS,” said an official.