West Bengal Government Reinstates Rajeev Kumar as Director General of Police

The West Bengal government reinstated Rajeev Kumar as the Director General of Police (DGP) on Monday, replacing Sanjoy Mukherjee, according to an official statement. Kumar will also continue his role as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Department of Information Technology and Electronics.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission initially appointed Vivek Sahay as the DGP on March 18, replacing Kumar. However, within 24 hours, Sahay was replaced by Mukherjee. This decision was made because Sahay, being the senior-most officer in the force, was scheduled to retire on May 31, well before the conclusion of the elections on June 4.

New Appointments in Key Departments

Mukherjee has now been appointed as the new DGP of the Fire and Emergency Services. Meanwhile, Abnindra Singh has been named the new secretary of the state Labour Department with an additional charge of Divisional Commissioner of Burdwan Division.

The current secretary of the Labour Department, Barun Roy, has been made the Additional Principal Secretary of the Department of Non-Conventional and Renewable Energy. Rajesh Kumar has been named the new secretary of the Environment Department with additional responsibilities as member secretary of the Pollution Control Board.

Changes in Administrative Roles

Roshni Sen, who was serving as the secretary of the Environment Department, has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation. She will also continue as Additional Chief Secretary of the Fisheries Department.

Chhoten Lama has been named Principal Secretary of the North Bengal Development Department with additional charges for the Tribal Development Department. The state also appointed Jagdish Prasad Meena as the new secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. Meena will also be in charge of Divisional Commissioner of Correctional Institution and Presidency Division.

Prabhat Kumar Mishra, previously secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, has been moved to the Irrigation Department. Ghulam Ali Ansari is now the new secretary of Minority Development and Madrasa Education Department. Ansari will also hold additional responsibilities as Additional Commissioner of Malda Division.

These appointments come at a crucial time as West Bengal prepares for upcoming elections and aims to streamline its administrative functions across various departments.