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Bengal CEO Sets March 22 Deadline for Removed DMs to Vacate Bungalows

The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal has instructed District Magistrates removed by the Election Commission to vacate their official bungalows by March 22. This directive follows complaints that some ousted officials in districts like Cooch Behar, Malda, and Jalpaiguri had not yet made way for their successors. The CEO's office emphasized that these bungalows are crucial secondary workplaces, especially during the election period when officials bear dual administrative and electoral duties. While a retired bureaucrat noted that delayed vacating is a long-standing practice, the office insists it is unacceptable during the critical election phase.

Key Points: Bengal CEO Orders Removed DMs to Vacate Bungalows by March 22

  • 13 DM-rank officials removed by ECI
  • Complaints from multiple districts
  • Bungalows serve as secondary workplaces
  • Deadline set for election period
  • Long-standing practice challenged
2 min read

Bengal CEO asks removed DMs to vacate official bungalows by March 22

West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer directs removed District Magistrates to vacate official bungalows by March 22 for their successors ahead of elections.

"The CEO's office believes that the official bungalow... is not just their residential accommodation, but also their secondary workplace. - CEO's office insider"

Kolkata, March 21

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, has directed district magistrates, who also serve as district electoral officers, and have been removed by the Election Commission of India, to immediately vacate their official bungalows for their successors.

"The ECI had recently removed a total of 13 DM-rank officials, who are also DEOs of the respective districts, and also announced the names of those bureaucrats who would replace them. However, this week, the CEO's office received complaints that some of the erstwhile DMs, who have been removed, are yet to vacate their official bungalows for their successors. In such a situation, the CEO's office has clearly instructed the removed DM/DEOs to vacate the official bungalows allotted to them for their successors by March 22," a CEO's office insider said.

He said that complaints regarding the removed DM/DEOs not vacating their official bungalows had been received from districts such as Cooch Behar, Malda, and Jalpaiguri.

"The CEO's office believes that the official bungalow allotted to the DM/DEOs is not just their residential accommodation, but also their secondary workplace. In such a situation, if the removed DMs/DEOs continue occupying the bungalows allotted to them, it will cause inconvenience for their successors, considering that in poll-bound West Bengal, they will have to carry out the dual responsibilities of state administrative functioning and election-related duties. Therefore, the CEO's office has set a deadline for the removed DMs/DEOs to vacate their official bungalows for their successors by March 22," the CEO's office insider said.

A retired bureaucrat, who was associated with the state government, said on condition of anonymity that taking some time to vacate official bungalows after transfers or retirement has been a long-standing practice.

"While there have been instances of bureaucrats vacating their official bungalows on the day of transfer or retirement, there have also been instances where transferred or retired bureaucrats sought some time to vacate them. But while that is acceptable during a normal period, it is not acceptable during the election phase, considering the pressure of dual responsibilities on bureaucrats, especially the DMs/DEOs," the retired bureaucrat said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand the urgency, we must also be a little humane. A government bungalow is also someone's home. Uprooting a family in 1-2 days is very stressful. Could there not be a short grace period of a week? The EC should balance efficiency with empathy.
A
Aman W
Typical babu culture! 😐 They get removed for a reason by the ECI, and still they cling to official perks. This is why common people suffer. The bungalow is for the chair, not the person. Vacate immediately and let the new officer work.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see this happening in Bengal. The retired bureaucrat's point makes sense – during normal times some leeway is fine, but elections are a different ball game. Hope this sets a precedent for other states too. Efficiency is key for a smooth democratic process.
V
Vikram M
Cooch Behar, Malda, Jalpaiguri... these are sensitive border districts. The new DEOs have a huge responsibility for free and fair polls. How can they work if they don't even have a proper office-cum-residence? Strict action should be taken if the deadline is ignored.
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Nikhil C
Respectfully, this highlights a systemic issue. Why aren't there temporary transit accommodations for such situations? Always this last-minute chaos. The government should plan better. That said, for now, the removed officers must comply. The election machinery cannot wait.

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