Is Nandini Chakraborty West Bengal's First Woman Chief Secretary?
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Synopsis
In a landmark decision, Nandini Chakraborty has become the first woman Chief Secretary of West Bengal. This appointment marks a significant step towards gender equality in the state's administrative hierarchy, igniting discussions on bureaucratic practices and governance.
Key Takeaways
- Nandini Chakraborty is the first female Chief Secretary of West Bengal.
- Her appointment comes amid political scrutiny.
- She has previously held important administrative roles.
- Her succession follows Manoj Pant's retirement.
- The appointment highlights the need for transparency in bureaucratic practices.
Kolkata, Dec 31 (NationPress) In a historic move, West Bengal has appointed its very first female Chief Secretary. The state government has named Nandini Chakraborty, who previously served as the additional chief secretary in the home and hill affairs department, as the new administrative leader of the state on Wednesday.
Chakraborty takes over from Manoj Pant, who retired on the same day. Pant, who had already extended his service for six months beyond his original retirement in June, was not granted an additional extension by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Jagdish Prasad Meena will step in as the new additional chief secretary for the state home and hill affairs department.
Even though Pant has retired, the state government has assigned him to serve as the principal secretary to the Chief Minister. This position is typically reserved for a regular recruit from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) rather than a promoted official.
During a press conference in Kolkata, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the West Bengal government for allegedly bending DoPT rules in appointing senior bureaucrats and police officials, including the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police. He remarked, “The DoPT rules are often relaxed in West Bengal for convenience.”
Nandini Chakraborty, an IAS officer from the 1994 batch, has held numerous key administrative roles within the state and has been embroiled in various controversies.
Recently, she served as the Principal Secretary to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose. Tensions flared between Raj Bhavan (now Lok Bhavan) and the state secretariat concerning her removal from this position. Although Raj Bhavan insisted on her release, the state secretariat ordered her to remain in her role.
Ultimately, following discussions between the Chief Minister and the Governor, the state government decided to transfer her to the tourism department. Subsequently, she was appointed to oversee the home and hill affairs department in December 2023.
Point of View
The appointment of Nandini Chakraborty as West Bengal's first woman Chief Secretary signifies a pivotal shift towards inclusivity in governance. However, this transition also raises questions regarding the state's bureaucratic practices, particularly in light of the recent comments from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It is crucial that such appointments are made transparently, ensuring that meritocracy prevails in public service.
NationPress
03/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nandini Chakraborty?
Nandini Chakraborty is the newly appointed Chief Secretary of West Bengal and the first woman to hold this position.
What position did she succeed?
She succeeded Manoj Pant, who retired from his role as Chief Secretary.
What did Amit Shah say about the appointment?
Amit Shah criticized the West Bengal government for allegedly diluting DoPT rules in the appointment of senior bureaucrats.
What are Chakraborty's previous roles?
Chakraborty has held several significant administrative posts, including Principal Secretary to the Governor.
Why was there controversy surrounding her previous position?
There was tension between Raj Bhavan and the state secretariat regarding her removal from the role of Principal Secretary to the Governor.
