Centre sends show cause notice to retd Bengal CS Alapan Bandyopadhyay for skipping Modi's meeting

Bandyopadhyay has been asked to "explain in writing" within three days "as to why action should not be taken against him under Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005", which is currently in place.

Contrary to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claim, Under Secretary to the Indian Government Ashish Kumar Singh wrote in the letter that the Prime Minister had waited for the CM and Bandyopadhyay in the meeting on May 28.

Banerjee, who has appointed Bandyopadhyay as her Chief Advisor on Monday, said she along with the then Chief Secretary had left the review meeting taking permission thrice from the Prime Minister.

Snubbing the Centre's earlier call, Bandyopadhyay retired on Monday declining an extension period of three months earlier granted by the central government as per the State's request.

The state government wanted the extension of Bandyopadhyay's tenure as he was handling COVID-19 situation.

Within hours after Banerjee and the CS skipped Modi's cyclone Yaas review meeting on Friday at Kalaikunda in West Bengal, Bandyopadhyay was asked to report to the Department of Personnel and Training, North Block, New Delhi by 10 am on Monday.

Bandyopadhyay's recall has left the civil servant fraternity in shock as several former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers have come down heavily on the Centre.

Former state chief secretary Ardhendu Sen said as quoted by The Indian Express, "The state government is busy dealing with the pandemic and the aftermath of a natural disaster. Given the situation, how could the central government issue a transfer order to the chief secretary?

"This will definitely hinder the functioning of the state administration. We expect the central government to help out the state at a time like this. Though the Centre has the jurisdiction (to recall the chief secretary), there is no doubt that the instructions issued by the Union government at this time are absolutely undesirable."

Former IAS officer Jawhar Sircar had tweeted, "Have Modi Shah gone crazy? Just 1 working day left for West Bengal’s Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyaya to retire — they have transferred him to Delhi! CM wanted 3 months extra. It’s deliberate sabotage of Cyclone Relief, Covid Control + Revenge for 48% Bengal vote against BJP."