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Nandini Chakraborty Makes History as West Bengal's First Woman Chief Secretary

Nandini Chakraborty has been appointed as West Bengal's first-ever woman Chief Secretary, succeeding Manoj Pant upon his retirement. Her appointment follows the Union government's denial of a further extension for Pant, who has been rehabilitated as the Chief Minister's principal secretary. The move occurs amid accusations from the Union Home Minister about the state diluting central personnel rules. Chakraborty, a 1994-batch IAS officer with a career marked by important posts and controversies, most recently served as Additional Chief Secretary for Home and Hill Affairs.

Key Points: West Bengal Gets First Woman Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty

  • Historic appointment
  • Political-bureaucratic tensions
  • Preceded by retirement & extension denial
  • Past controversies & roles
  • Post-retirement rehabilitation of predecessor
2 min read

IAS officer Nandini Chakraborty is Bengal's first woman Chief Secretary

Nandini Chakraborty, a 1994-batch IAS officer, becomes West Bengal's first female Chief Secretary, succeeding Manoj Pant amid political-administrative tensions.

"The DoPT rules are often diluted in West Bengal according to convenience. - Amit Shah, Union Home Minister"

Kolkata, Dec 31

West Bengal got its first-ever woman Chief Secretary, with the current additional chief secretary to the state home and hill affairs department, Nandini Chakraborty, being named as the new bureaucratic head of the state on Wednesday by the state government.

Chakraborty succeeded Manoj Pant, who retired on Wednesday. Pant, who was supposed to retire in June this year, was already on an extension for six months.

Although the state government appealed to the Union Government for a further extension of six months for Pant, the proposal was not finally cleared by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the cadres controlling authority of the all-India service cadre officials.

Jagdish Prasad Meena replaces Chakraboryt as the new additional chief secretary to the state home and hill affairs department.

However, despite retiring from his service, Pant has been rehabilitated by the state government. He will now operate as the principal secretary to the Chief Minister, though this post officially is a cadre post that is meant for a regular recruit (not promoted) and serving Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.

On Tuesday, while interacting with the media persons in Kolkata, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the West Bengal government of diluting the rules of the DoPT even while appointing senior bureaucrats and police officers, like the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police. "The DoPT rules are often diluted in West Bengal according to convenience," HM Shah said.

Nandini Chakraborty is a 1994-batch IAS officer. She has held several important administrative posts in the state. She has also been involved in several controversies.

In the recent past, she was the Principal Secretary to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose. A tense situation arose between Raj Bhavan (currently Lok Bhavan) and the state secretariat over the removal of Nandini Chakraborty from the post of Principal Secretary to the Governor.

Though Raj Bhavan asked the state government to release Chakraborty, the state secretariat had instructed that Nandini should continue as the Principal Secretary to the Governor.

Later, the Chief Minister spoke to the Governor separately in the matter.

After that, the state government decided to remove her from that chair. She was then given the charge of the state tourism department.

Later she was given the charge of the state home and hills affairs department in December 2023.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
A welcome step for gender representation. However, the article highlights the constant tussle between the state and the Centre, and even with the Governor's office. It's concerning. The bureaucracy should be allowed to function independently, not become a pawn in political games.
A
Amit G
The whole process seems messy. Manoj Pant gets an extension, then doesn't, then is "rehabilitated" to another top post meant for a serving officer? And the Centre and state are trading accusations. This doesn't inspire confidence in administrative stability for the common citizen.
S
Shreya B
As a young professional from Kolkata, I'm thrilled to see this! It sends a powerful message to girls across the state that the top posts are achievable. Hope she brings a fresh perspective to governance.
K
Karthik V
The mention of "several controversies" is vague. If there are specific issues in her past service record, the public has a right to know, especially for such a crucial appointment. Transparency is key for trust.
M
Meera T
Congratulations to Nandini ma'am! Her journey through tourism, home & hills, and even the Governor's office shows diverse experience. Handling hill affairs in Darjeeling is no small task. Wishing her strength to navigate the complex political environment of Bengal.

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