Kolkata, May 11 (IANS). The West Bengal government on Monday issued orders terminating the tenure of nominated directors, members and chairpersons of various boards, organisations, non-statutory bodies and public sector undertakings under various state government departments.
“I am directed to request you to take necessary action to immediately terminate the tenure of the nominated members/directors/chairmen of various boards, organisations, non-statutory bodies and public sector undertakings of the state government under your department,” an official order issued by a senior special secretary to the West Bengal government said.
In the same order, instructions have also been given to terminate the tenure of former state government officers who were enjoying the benefit of re-appointment or extension of service after retirement during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government.
The copy of the order reads, “I am also directed to immediately terminate the tenure of officers/employees working in various departments of the State Government on re-appointment/extension of service after the normal retirement age (60 years). This is issued with the approval of the competent authority.”
It had become a trend during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led government from 2011 to 2026 to nominate various individuals, especially intellectuals, celebrities and even serving and retired media persons, to such bodies.
Meanwhile, the previous state government either re-appointed or extended the tenure of many retired bureaucrats and police officers even after their retirement, and that too with their last pay along with other allowances and benefits.
This trend was repeatedly criticized by opposition parties and economic advisors. The political argument against such appointments and reappointments was that these moves were either to reward ruling party confidants for their tireless efforts in campaigning for former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, or to conceal state government secrets.
The economic argument against these appointments and re-appointments was that such huge expenditure was unnecessary at a time when the State Government had completely stopped new recruitment to permanent government posts and was refusing to pay dearness allowance to existing State Government employees and pensioners at par with Central Government employees, while also withholding arrears on this account.
After the declaration of the results of the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections on May 4, which resulted in a crushing defeat for the Trinamool Congress, a series of resignations started by people who held advisory positions in the previous government led by Mamata Banerjee.
–IANS
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