Kolkata, May 31 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she was "shocked" and "stunned" by the "unilateral order" to recall Alapan Bandyopadhyay to the Centre.
She also requested the central government to "reconsider and rescind" the order requiring
State Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay to report to New Delhi.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ms Banerjee said,” I must confess that I have been shocked and stunned by-the unilateral order dated 28 May, 2021 sent to us by the Government of
India, asking us to release Sri Alapan Bandyopadhyay IAS, Chief Secretary, West Bengal, so that
he may join the Government of India on 31st May, 2021 , 'the normal date of his superannuation.”
The chief minister wrote the unilateral "orders' comes without any prior consultation whatsoever
with the Government of West Bengal, without any volition / option of the officer, without meeting
any of the pre- conditions of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954 and other
applicable laws under reference. The unilateral order [ directive is legally untenable, historically unprecedented and wholly unconstituti8nal.
“Only a few days back, on my request, you had kindly allowed, and the Government of India had issued an order to extend his service for 3 months as Chief Secretary, beyond 31st May, 2021 for
the purpose that he could serve the State severely affected by the second wave of the pandemic
of COVID-19 (like the rest of the country) in critical times, which has further been devastated by an extremely severe cyclone. I presume that the said order of 24th May, 2021 granting extension as
Chief Secretary, issued after mutual written consultations and on the basiS of the reasons
deliberated upon during such consultation in accordance with due process, stands and ought to
stand in any case. In this regard, I seek your kind confirmation in public interest and in the larger interests of the people of the State of West Bengal in these difficult times,” Ms Banerjee said.
“ The All-India Services themselves and the laws, including rules, framed for it, have federal cooperation as the cornerstone of its legal architecture. The whole aim of the All-India Services
has been to protect and give greater cohesion to the federal foundations of this Constitution. With unilateral and non-consultative orders being issued, the federal system is gravely endangered and severely undermined. If a Chief Secretary of a State can be asked to be relieved like this, how can
the lower bureaucracy take, obey and implement orders in their letter or spirit from State Chief
Minister, other Ministers and officers. I presume and sincerely hope that you do not, want to
damage the federal amity. I also presume and sincerely hope that you do not want to destroy the
morale of all the All India Service officers working in various States across the country,” she wrote.
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