Mamata refuses to relieve Chief Secretary after Centre's notice

Kolkata: Refusing the Centre's order to relieve Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay from his state duties, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the Secretary would remain in the state as per the applicable law pertaining to his appointment.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said that at this critical time of COVID the state demands his service.

"The government of Bengal cannot release, and is not releasing, its Chief Secretary at this critical hour, on the basis of our understanding that the earlier order of extension, issued after lawful consultation in accordance with applicable laws, remains operational and valid," said Chief Minister in her letter.

Apparently, the Chief Secretary Mr Bandyopadhyay was ordered to report to the Centre after a row over Mamata Banerjee not attending a meeting with PM Modi on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Centre will reporteldy initiate disciplinary action against West Bengal chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay after he failed to report to the department of personnel, public grievances and pensions (DoPT) in New Delhi as ordered, people familiar with the development said on Monday.

Mamata called the order "legally untenable, historically unprecedented and wholly unconstitutional" and added that she "sincerely hoped" that the decision was made not because she skipped a Cyclone Yaas review meeting with Modi."It would be sad, unfortunate and would amount to sacrificing public interest at the altar of misplaced priorities" she stated.

Recently, a central order had extended Bandyopadhya's term in Bengal by three months on account of the Covid surge in the state.