With Alapan Bandyopadhyay becoming the Principal Adviser to the Mamata government in West Bengal and the Centre issuing a show-cause notice under the Disaster Management Act against him, bureaucracy in the country is divided on the issue.
Many bureaucrats have been commenting on the developing situation in the eastern state and their ongoing tussle with the Centre. 1987 batch IAS Alapan Bandyopadhyay was issued a notice under the DM Act for not being present to brief the Prime Minister at the cyclone review meeting on May 28.
Former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Member, Central Administrative Tribunal, PK Basu, expressed his view over the controversial matter while speaking with The Indian Express.
“He (Bandopadhyay) had to follow the rule of law, which is that it is his responsibility, and not the Chief Minister’s, to receive the PM and brief him. That is the rule and also the custom. He did not have to ask the Chief Minister. Suppose if something went wrong during the visit, it is the Chief Secretary that would lose his job, not the CM.”
PK BASU, Former secretary ministry of agriculture
He further added, ““The point is an IAS officer has no boss. His boss is the Constitution, the rule of law, and his conscience. Bandyopadhyay failed in his duty. By not giving a presentation to PM, by insulting the PM, whereas Bengal could have got Rs 1000 crore from Centre, they maybe got Rs 500 crore. It is the loss of the people of Bengal.”
“It is not just a matter of violation of protocol and etiquette but it is a violation of law. The President appoints the All India Service officers. The PM heading the Council of Ministers represents the authority of the President. Thereby, he is an authority higher than the CM or the Chief Secretary. By insulting the PM, the officer has slighted the President himself.”
N K Aggarwal, Ex- Chairman Bihar Public Service Commission
He further told The Indian Express, “The PM, in this context, is also the chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority. It is the law for them to attend to him. The Chief Secretary post is not a dole given to him by the Chief Minister.”
