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Centre Seeks Bengal Officers After Protocol Breach During President's Visit

The Union Home Ministry has sought the Darjeeling District Magistrate and Siliguri Police Commissioner for central deputation following alleged protocol breaches during President Droupadi Murmu's visit. The state government has already released the DM, who has been replaced. Central rules allow the Union government to seek officers in cases of negligence regarding the President's security or protocol, with Supreme Court backing. The move comes after the President reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of her visit to an International Santal Conclave.

Key Points: Centre Seeks Darjeeling DM, Siliguri CP on Deputation Post-Protocol Breach

  • MHA seeks officers after protocol breach
  • Darjeeling DM Manish Mishra already replaced
  • Centre can override state objections
  • SC upholds Centre's deputation powers
  • President expressed dissatisfaction
2 min read

Bengal: Centre seeks Darjeeling DM and Siliguri CP on deputation

MHA seeks two Bengal officers for central deputation following alleged protocol lapses during President Murmu's Darjeeling visit. State has released DM.

"any negligence in her security or protocol allows the Union Government to seek officers on central deputation - Rules Cited"

Kolkata, Mar 13

Amid recent controversies over a breach of protocol during President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Darjeeling district in West Bengal to address an International Santal Conclave last week, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sought one Indian Administrative Service officer and one Indian Police Service officer from the district for central deputation.

The two officers are the current district magistrate of Darjeeling, Manish Mishra, and the commissioner of Siliguri Metropolitan Police, C. Sudhakar.

A communication on this matter has already reached the state secretariat at Nabanna from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday, according to an insider at the secretariat.

Incidentally, the state government has already released Mishra from his duties as Darjeeling district magistrate. The former special secretary to the North Bengal Development Department, Sunil Agarwal, has taken charge as the new district magistrate.

As per rules, since the President is the constitutional head of the country, any negligence in her security or protocol allows the Union Government to seek officers on central deputation, even overriding objections from the state government.

The Supreme Court has upheld the validity of Rule 6(1) of the IPS (Cadre) Rules, 1954, under which the Union Government retains authority to override a state's decision on transfer and deputation of IPS officers, if necessary. If a state government refuses to release a selected officer for central deputation, the officer can be barred from such deputation for five years.

Such developments can hinder the career growth of the IPS officer concerned, as at least two years of central deputation is mandatory for officers of the 2011 batch or later to become eligible for empanelment as Inspector General.

The President attended the International Santal Conclave at Siliguri on March 7. However, there were complaints of breach of protocol during her visit, and even the President herself expressed mild dissatisfaction over the matter.

There were also allegations that protocol was not followed regarding her security.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the rules are clear, the timing and optics are questionable. It feels like another chapter in the constant tug-of-war between the Centre and West Bengal. The officers' careers shouldn't become collateral damage in this political battle. Hope a fair review happens.
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Priyanka N
As someone from North Bengal, we see these administrative shuffles often. But if the President herself was dissatisfied, it's a major lapse. The Santal community's event was important, and such lapses overshadow the actual purpose. Hope the new DM ensures better coordination.
A
Aman W
The rule is there for a reason. You can't have different protocols for different states. If the state government failed in its duty, the Centre must act. It's about the dignity of the office, not politics. 🇮🇳
K
Karthik V
Feel for the officers though. A single incident can derail years of service. The 'mandatory central deputation' rule puts so much pressure. The system needs to find a balance between accountability and not ruining careers over what might be procedural chaos.
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Nisha Z
The state govt had already released the DM. Shows they acknowledged the lapse. The Centre's move now seems more about asserting control than fixing the problem. This back-and-forth doesn't help governance in Darjeeling, which has its own unique challenges.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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