New Delhi (12.12.2020): Following an attack on the convoy of BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda during his December 9-10 visit to West Bengal the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued unilateral summons to three IPS officers of the politically volatile state to serve on Central Deputation basis for alleged dereliction of duties.
The three officers – 1996 batch IPS Rajeev Mishra (ADG, South Bengal), Praveen Tripathi (DIG, Presidency Range) and Bholanath Pandey (SP, Diamond Harbour)– were alleged to have been responsible for the security lapse.
The move has further escalated the ongoing tussle between the Centre and the state. The decision has been taken under the rules governing the All India Service officers. Conventionally the state government's consent is taken before any IAS officer is called to serve in Centre under deputation yet nothing stops Centre’s unilateral decision.
Further, TMC Government has cleared that Chief Secretary and DGP who were also summoned by the Centre in connection with the attack, will not visit Delhi on December 14. Alapan Bandopadhyay (CS) wrote to Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, that he has been directed to request to "dispense with the presence of the state officials" in the meeting convened on December 14.
It may be underlined that following an adverse report by Governor Jagdeep Dhankar on the law and order situation in the state the two top officials (CS & DGP) were summoned by the Centre
The ruling TMC has called the Centre's move unconstitutional and an effort of interfering with the federal structure.
