Key Points

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mamata Banerjee shared the letter, writing, "Here goes my letter today to the Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, New Delhi, expressing my unequivocal disapproval of their grave lapse in mapping West Bengal!"

In the letter addressed to Suman K Bery, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, Banerjee called the mistake "an affront" to the identity and dignity of West Bengal and demanded an immediate apology and correction.

The objection pertains to the "Summary Report for the State of West Bengal," published jointly by NITI Aayog and NCAER, which included a map that erroneously shaded Bihar instead of West Bengal.

Highlighting the error, Banerjee wrote, "Such a grave lapse in an official document of a premier national institution is not merely a technical error but an affront to the identity and dignity of the State of West Bengal."

She further added that the incident reflects a "lack of diligence and respect" for the states of the Indian Union, warning that such lapses cast significant doubt over the rigour and reliability of the institution's work.

She wrote, "Such a blunder in an official publication of NITI Aayog reflects an alarming lack of diligence and respect towards the States of the Union. This raises legitimate concerns about the rigour and reliability of the institution's work, which policymakers and citizens alike depend upon for accurate and informed decision-making and casts significant doubt on the quality, authenticity and credibility of reports and publications of NITI Aayog."

The Chief Minister called upon NITI Aayog to issue a clarification and apology, and to implement corrective measures to prevent similar lapses in the future.

"The Government of West Bengal strongly condemns this inaccuracy and calls upon NITI Aayog to issue a clarification and apology and take immediate corrective action to rectify the document and to institute robust mechanisms to prevent such lapses in future," she concluded.

- ANI