The West Bengal government, which is under tremendous pressure for failing to deal with COVID19 pandemic, has transferred health secretary Vivek Kumar (IAS:1990:WB) from his post.

Kumar is the second senior bureaucrat to be transferred after food and supplies secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal (IAS:1990:WB), who has been sent on compulsory wait. He was alleged of malpractices in the public distribution system.

The government transferred Kumar to the environment department as principal secretary. Narayan Swaroop Nigam (IAS:1998:WB), the transport secretary, will take charge of the health and family welfare department in his place.

The Mamata government has been severely criticised for mishandling the COVID-19 cases in the state. It is alleged Kumar had been made a scapegoat.