Kolkata/Howrah: In a significant administrative move, the Government of West Bengal has appointed retired IAS officer Dr Subrata Gupta as Advisor to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari with immediate effect.
The appointment was notified by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms from Nabanna, Howrah, and will remain in force until further orders. The order states that the decision has been taken “in the interest of public service.”
Veteran Bureaucrat Returns to Key Advisory Role
Dr Gupta is a retired 1990-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre and is widely regarded as one of the most academically accomplished and experienced administrators in the state.
Officials said his extensive administrative and policy experience is expected to assist the new government in governance, policy coordination and implementation of priority initiatives.
Before this appointment, he had been engaged by the Election Commission of India as Special Roll Observer for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise conducted ahead of the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.
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Former Union Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary
During his distinguished career spanning more than three decades, Dr Gupta served both in the state and central governments.
At the Centre, he served as Secretary in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
In West Bengal, he held several senior positions, including Additional Chief Secretary in:
- Science, Technology and Biotechnology Department
- Food Processing Industries and Horticulture Department
- North Bengal Development Department
He also served as Principal Secretary in the Water Resources Investigation and Development Department and held important field assignments as District Magistrate of Jalpaiguri and Bardhaman.
Known for Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Development
Dr Gupta earned recognition for introducing the “Do It Yourself (DIY)” bamboo polyhouse initiative in North Bengal, which enabled farmers to construct low-cost protected cultivation structures using locally available bamboo instead of expensive commercial materials.
The innovation significantly boosted productivity and incomes for farmers in the hill and foothill regions.
Outstanding Academic Credentials
An alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Dr Gupta holds:
- PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering
- M.Tech in Communication Engineering
- MBA from the University of Birmingham
His strong academic foundation has long been cited as one of the defining strengths of his administrative career.
Important Post-Retirement Assignments
Following his retirement, Dr Gupta continued to be entrusted with important public responsibilities, including:
- Special Roll Observer appointed by the Election Commission
- Advisor to the Chief Minister of West Bengal
His latest appointment is seen as a major addition to the Chief Minister’s advisory team at a time when the state government is expected to focus on governance reforms and policy execution.
