Days after publishing the Lok Sabha 2024 schedule, the Election Commission ordered the dismissal of the Bengal DGP and home secretaries of six states.
On Monday, days after announcing the 2024 Lok Sabha election calendar, the Election Commission of India ordered the removal of top officials from various states, including the West Bengal director general of police and six state home secretaries, according to news agency PTI.
What did the Election Commission order?
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the removal of Rajeev Kumar, West Bengal’s director general of police.
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• Home secretaries from six states, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, have also been ordered to be dismissed.
• Secretaries of general administrative departments in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh were also sacked.
• The ECI, led by CEC Rajiv Kumar, also ordered the removal of Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, as well as additional commissioners and deputy commissioners.
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Why does the ECI take action against top officials?
According to the report, the commission directed all state governments to transfer officers engaging in election-related responsibilities after three years of service or if they are stationed in their home districts.
According to the report, Maharashtra failed to comply with directives relating to various municipal commissioners, as well as several extra and deputy municipal commissioners.
Expressing unhappiness with the state chief secretary, the commission directed the transfer of BMC officials, including the additional and deputy commissioners, with a deadline of 6 p.m. on Monday.
In addition, the chief secretary was asked to transfer all similarly positioned municipal commissioners, as well as extra or deputy municipal commissioners, to other corporations in Maharashtra.
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‘Submit names for new West Bengal DGP by 5 p.m.’: ECI
The Election Commission has requested three officers’ names by 5 p.m. to choose a new DGP for West Bengal.
In December, the West Bengal government selected Rajeev Kumar, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) official close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as the state’s DGP.
ALSO READ: Who is Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, who is considered ‘close’ to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee?
Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of “trying to grab different organisations, including ECI.” They have gained control of central agencies and many institutions.”
“What we saw today is a reflection of the BJP. It is attempting to seize and monitor the operations of these types of organizations, including ECI,” he stated.
