In preparation for the upcoming Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India has reshuffled West Bengal’s police leadership and bureaucracy. The Commission removed the current Director General of Police (DGP) and Chief Secretary and appointed new officials to these positions.
Appointments of New Officials
Dushyant Nariala, a senior IAS officer, replaced Nandini Chakravarty as the Chief Secretary. Siddh Nath Gupta, a seasoned police officer, replaced Peeyush Pandey as the new DGP.
Three Senior Officers Transferred
Along with the DGP and Chief Secretary changes, the Election Commission transferred three other senior officers. Ajay Kumar Nand is now the Commissioner of Kolkata Police, succeeding Supratim Sarkar. Natarajan Ramesh Babu has been appointed as the Director General of Correctional Services, and Ajay Mukund Ranade will serve as the Additional Director General and Inspector General of Police (Law and Order).
Siddh Nath Gupta’s Experience
Siddh Nath Gupta, a 1992-batch IPS officer, brings years of experience to his new role. He handled critical law and order situations such as the Nandigram protests, the Lalgarh Naxal movement, and the Gorkhaland agitation in Darjeeling. Gupta has also effectively managed communal flare-ups and riots across the state.
New Chief Secretary and Administrative Changes
In addition to appointing the new DGP, the Election Commission also appointed Dushyant Nariala as the new Chief Secretary. This appointment follows a review of the state’s election preparedness. Nandini Chakravarty has been excluded from election-related assignments. Furthermore, the Commission appointed Sanghamitra Ghosh as the Principal Secretary for Home and Hill Affairs.
Immediate Implementation of Appointments
The Election Commission directed the state government to ensure that the newly appointed officials assume their positions by 3 pm and submit compliance reports. Additionally, the government must ensure that the transferred officers do not take any election-related positions.
Context for the Reshuffle
The reshuffle is part of the ongoing preparations for the West Bengal Assembly elections, which will take place on April 23 and 29. The vote counting will occur on May 4. Tensions have risen between the Trinamool Congress government and the Election Commission, especially over revisions to the voter list and the compensation of booth-level officers.
