Mamata says Alapan chapter over, Centre defends his MHA call

Though the Centre-state conflict over now-retired Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay has been on for several days now, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee does not want to say anything more on the issue. She told a press conference at Nabanna on Wednesday that she would not comment on the issue. “The Alapan chapter is over,” she said. However, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal and MLA from Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari has launched an all-out attack against Alapan Bandyopadhyay, and accused the former Chief Secretary of corruption. He also demanded an investigation to “expose the corruption” that has taken place.

Also, the Central government defended its move to summon former West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay and called its transfer order “constitutional”, according to sources.

The Centre has served a show-cause notice under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, for Alapan Bandyopadhyay’s “refusal” to comply with a direction given by the Central government. Under the Act, the Centre could initiate criminal proceedings, including a jail term and a fine, against Bandyopadhyay for not attending the Prime Minister’s review meeting in Kalaikunda last week. He has been asked to respond within three days, failing which action will be taken under the Disaster Management Act. Earlier, a letter was sent to Bandyopadhyay asking him to appear in North Block in Delhi. But he decided to retire without attending.

Adhikari targeted Alapan Bandyopadhyay after meeting Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Nandigram MLA claimed that the bureaucrat, who was a central cadre till May 31, has now become a de facto part of the ruling party. He also made allegations of corruption against the former chief secretary, and sought an investigation to “expose the corruption” that has taken place.

Meanwhile, a report from New Delhi quoted Central government sources as telling ANI: “The order is perfectly constitutional since Chief Secretary is an All India Services officer. He chose to ignore his Constitutional duties, as a result of which no presentation was given to Prime Minister and no officer of West Bengal Government attended the Prime Minister’s review meeting.” WITH AGENCY INPUTS