GoI vs West Bengal: Manoj Pant extension denial sparks centre-state bureaucratic clash? Full details inside

Pant appointed as principal secretary to CM Mamata Banerjee.

Kolkata: In a significant development highlighting the ongoing tension between the Government of India and the West Bengal government, the Centre denied an extension to Manoj Pant, the state’s Chief Secretary and a 1991-batch IAS officer. Pant’s tenure as Chief Secretary was nearing its end with retirement, but the West Bengal government had sought to retain him for continuity in administration. The refusal by the Centre underscores the authority of the Union government in matters of extension for top bureaucrats, emphasizing that such approvals are not entirely under the state government’s control. This decision has sparked discussion about the balance of power between the state and the central government.

Mamata Banerjee Appoints Pant as Principal Secretary

Following the denial of his extension, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee moved swiftly to retain Manoj Pant within the state administration. Pant was appointed as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister with the rank equivalent to Chief Secretary. In this role, he continues to play a key role in state administration, advising the Chief Minister on policy matters and coordinating important initiatives. While he no longer holds the official title of Chief Secretary, the appointment ensures his expertise and experience remain accessible to the state government, reflecting Mamata Banerjee’s intent to maintain administrative stability amid the standoff with the Centre.

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Nandini Chakraborty Becomes New Chief Secretary

After the Centre denied the extension to Manoj Pant, Nandini Chakraborty, a 1994-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of West Bengal. Chakraborty now assumes the top bureaucratic position in the state, responsible for overseeing administrative operations, coordinating between departments, and implementing government policies. Her appointment comes at a time of heightened scrutiny and underscores the strategic importance of her role in ensuring smooth governance. The decision also reflects the central government’s influence in the appointments of key bureaucrats and its implications for state-center dynamics.

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State-Centre Tensions Highlighted

The sequence of events surrounding the Chief Secretary position in West Bengal highlights the ongoing tensions between the state government led by Mamata Banerjee and the Union government. While the Centre exercises its authority over bureaucratic extensions, the state government has sought ways to retain experienced officers within the administration. This episode illustrates the delicate balance of power, the importance of administrative continuity, and the political undertones involved in top-level bureaucratic appointments.