The Union Government and the West Bengal government seem to be marching towards a fresh fracas on the eve of the Assembly elections in the state. The Union Government’s attempt to secure the deputation of Darjeeling District Magistrate (DM) Manish Mishra (IAS:2015:WB) and Siliguri Police Commissioner C Sudhakar (IPS:2006:WB) was foiled by the state govt after its refusal to release them.
It is considered to be a fallout of the alleged protocol breach during President Droupadi Murmu’s Bengal visit last week.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went a step ahead and transferred Mishra from the post of Darjeeling DM and brought him into her fold after rejecting the Centre’s requisition. Sources revealed that the CM decided to turn down the Home Ministry’s move in view of the upcoming polls.
Mishra has been placed as the Special Secretary of the Home and Hill Affairs department headed by her. IAS officer Sunil Agarwal has been posted as the new Darjeeling DM.
However, no decision has been taken on Sudhakar, who is serving in the rank of Inspector General (IG). There is strong speculation that Sudhakar too is unlikely to be released by the state government. He too may be transferred like Mishra.
Reliable sources pointed out that the Home Ministry had sent a letter seeking the release of two officers for their central deputation within three days of the alleged protocol breach after getting a report on it from Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty.
Though the exact reason behind seeking the release of two officers by the Home Ministry has not been mentioned in its communication, sources indicated that the motive was apparently linked to their present posting area, where the protocol breach of the President allegedly took place on March 7.
Join Us on WhatsApp