Kolkata: West Bengal chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay on Monday opted for superannuation instead of reporting to Delhi’s North Block as directed by Union government order.
His decision was followed by an announcement from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appointing him as the ‘Chief Advisor to the CM’ for a period of three years.
But that may not protect him from the Centre’s displeasure. He will face a charge-sheet and action for defying orders, said reports, quoting central government sources.
A show-cause notice has been issued to Bandyopadhyay for his brief appearance at the Cyclone Yaas review meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The Chief Secretary was called by an official as to whether they wanted to participate in the review meeting or not. Thereafter, he arrived along with Chief Minister inside the meeting room and left immediately,” the government said in its show-cause notice. He has been asked to respond to the notice within three days.
The Centre and Bengal government have been logged in fresh tussle over the post of chief secretary. The ruling Trinamool Congress had requested the Centre to extend Alapan Bandopadhyay’s term by three months citing his efforts towards the fight against Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing relief work in the aftermath of Cyclone Yaas.
The Centre had earlier accepted the request and extended his term. But, on 28 May, the central government directed Bandopadhyay to report to the Department of Personnel and Training in Delhi on Monday.
Bandopadhyay got caught in the tussle after he and the Chief Minister did not attend a review meeting on Cylone Yaas with the Prime Minister.