West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticised the Central Government for its action against former IAS officer Alapan Bandopadhyay. She said the PM Narendra Modi led government is not abiding by law in its action against the ex-IAS who is now appointed as her advisor.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has sent a memorandum to Bandyopadhyay mentioning the charges and giving him 30 days to reply. He has also been warned of major penalty proceedings, which allows the central government to withhold pension or gratuity, or both, either in full or in part.
Referring to this the CM said in a press meet, “The Centre must realise it is victimising an official who lost his brother, nephew and mother within a span of 15-20 days and he is in mental agony because he has worked for the country all his life, and now he is being treated in such a manner. This is irresponsible behaviour and we will not allow this”.
She also said that IAS and IPS officers of the country are in solidarity with the former West Bengal chief secretary, as it is the “battle of every bureaucrat”.
Let it be noted that all this fuss started after Mr. Bandopadhyay skipped a meeting on Cyclone Yaas last month on 28 May.
