HK Dwivedi new chief secretary, BP Gopalika new home secretary of Bengal

HK Dwivedi was appointed the new chief secretary of Bengal and BP Gopalika was appointed the new home secretary of the state on Monday. Alapan Bandopadhyay retired as Bengal’s chief secretary today, choosing to not accept the extension of his services by three months offered to him by the Bengal government with clearance from the Centre.

This comes amidst a row between chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on attending of a review meeting on the impact of Cyclone Yaas in some Bengal districts. Hours after the row, the Centre sent a letter to the Bengal government on Friday evening asking Alapan Bandopadhyay to report to the DoPT today by 10 AM. However, Banerjee wrote to PM Modi saying she was unable to release Alapan Bandopadhyay. Neither did Bandopadhyay reach Delhi to report as asked by the said letter.

Hours later, Mamata Banerjee announced that the CS had chosen to retire and she had accepted it. She also announced that Alapan Bandopadhyay is being appointed the chief advisor to the CM for three years. He will start working in his new position from tomorrow.

HK Dwivedi — who is the current home secretary — was chosen as the state’s new chief secretary. BP Gopalika was chosen the new home secretary.