As West Bengal’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) gear up for retirement in December, the state government is in the process of deliberating potential successors for these pivotal roles.
The present Chief Secretary, HK Dwivedi (IAS:1988:WB), is already on an extension, granted by the government on June 28 earlier this year. Initially slated to retire in June 2023, Dwivedi’s term received a six-month extension from the central government in June. With a diverse background encompassing key departments such as home and finance, Dwivedi has previously served as an additional chief secretary in the state home department and held positions as a commercial tax commissioner and in charge of the state excise department.
While various names circulate in the corridors of power, the actual appointments may hold surprises. Sources suggest that Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika (IAS:1989:WB), currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary (Home), is a frontrunner for the Chief Secretary post. However, no confirmation can be made until an official announcement is issued.
For the position of DGP, IPS officer Manoj Malviya (IPS:1986:WB) is set to retire. Sources point to former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar (IPS:1989:WB), currently serving as the Secretary of the Information and Technology Department, as a leading contender for the role. Another contender is IPS officer Dr. Rajesh Kumar (IPS:1990:WB) has previously served as the Additional DGP of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Commissioner of Kolkata Police.
While Rajeev Kumar and Dr. Rajesh Kumar are considered top contenders, no official confirmation has been made, and sources emphasize the premature nature of naming any candidate before an official announcement.
There is also speculation among officials that the state may consider extending Malviya’s term, providing an additional six months, similar to the extension granted to the Chief Secretary earlier, though this remains speculative at this stage.
