Power corridors are abuzz that Baldeo Purushartha (IAS:2002:PB) may be appointed as PS to Dr. Hardip Singh Puri, Union Minister (I/C) for Housing & Urban Affairs. The reason cited is Purushartha's experience as Municipal Commissioner of Chandigarh and Nodal officer (Smart City); he is credited with doing an excellent job in that capacity to maintain the order and beauty of Le Corbusier's city. Purushartha received several awards at the national and state levels in recognition of his proactive and innovative approach to administration. He was conferred with the international achiever award during the global achiever summit in Bangkok on November 11, 2016, by Kuon Kom Dabbaransi, former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, who was the chief guest at the function. His contribution was recognized for conducting the street vending project in Chandigarh. He was one of the recipients of the PM Award for making Chandigarh a 100% open defecation-free city.