West Bengal government appoints CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal as state’s Chief Secretary

Advertisement

Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Monday appointed the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal as the next Chief Secretary.

“The Governor is pleased to appoint Shri Manoj Kumar Agarwal, IAS (WB:1990), Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal and ex officio Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs (Election) Department… as Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal until further order(s),” said a notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.

Earlier, a 1990-batch officer, IAS Manoj Kumar Agarwal served as Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) during the election.

Following the new government formation in the state, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also finalised the allocation of key portfolios among five ministers during a meeting with MLAs, marking a swift administrative move.

According to the allocation announced, senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh has been assigned the Rural Development, Panchayats and Animal Resources Department, while Ashok Kirtania will handle the Food Department. Khudiram Tudu has been given charge of the Backwards Class Welfare Department, and Agnimitra Paul will oversee the Women and Child Welfare Department. Nisith Pramanik has been entrusted with North Bengal Development along with the Sports and Youth Welfare portfolios.

The distribution of portfolios comes after the formation of the new government in West Bengal, with the Chief Minister moving quickly to establish an administrative structure and assign responsibilities across key departments.

Advertisement

The West Bengal government also decided to implement Ayushman Bharat and roll out major Central welfare schemes across the state, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced after the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed BJP government at Nabanna on Monday.

The West Bengal Chief Minister said the new journey of good governance, security, and double-engine government in West Bengal will move forward on the same path of development followed in other BJP-ruled states across the country. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the ideals of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and the principle of “For the People, By the People, Of the People.”

As part of administrative reforms, IAS officers in the state will now participate in Central Government training programmes in line with practices followed in other states, said the release. The Government has also decided to fully align West Bengal with the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The upper age limit for government job applications has been increased by five years to improve employment opportunities for educated youth.

(ANI)

Also Read: Nashik TCS row: Accused Nida Khan sent to 14-day judicial custody

Advertisement