Kolkata: In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle aimed at improving administrative efficiency and aligning governance with the state’s developmental priorities, the West Bengal government on Wednesday transferred 18 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers across several key departments.
The large-scale reshuffle, announced through an official notification, affects senior officers serving in crucial sectors including Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Science and Technology, Land and Land Reforms, Food and Supplies, Transport, Irrigation, Labour, Environment, Technical Education, and Women and Child Development.
Officials at Nabanna described the exercise as a move undertaken in the public interest to streamline governance and accelerate service delivery. However, political observers and sections of the bureaucracy view the transfers as part of a broader effort to position key officials in line with the government’s policy priorities and administrative vision.
Anup Kumar Agarwal Appointed ACS, Personnel & MSME Departments
One of the most significant appointments in the reshuffle is that of Anup Kumar Agarwal (IAS:1993).
Previously serving as Commissioner of the Jalpaiguri Division, Agarwal has now been appointed:
- Additional Chief Secretary, Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department
- Additional Chief Secretary, MSME and Textiles Department
The posting places him at the center of the state’s administrative and industrial policy framework.
Nandini Chakraborty Gets Science & Technology Portfolio
Senior IAS officer Nandini Chakraborty (IAS:1994), who was serving as Principal Coordinator for Developmental Works in the Chief Minister’s Office, has been appointed:
- Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Science & Technology and Biotechnology
- Additional Charge of Housing Department
Her appointment is seen as significant given the government’s emphasis on technology-driven development and infrastructure expansion.
Surendra Gupta Moves to Land and Land Reforms Department
Mr Gupta, who was serving as Commissioner of the Presidency Division, has been appointed:
- Principal Secretary, Department of Land and Land Reforms
- Principal Secretary, Department of Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation
These departments are considered strategically important due to their role in land administration and rehabilitation policies.
Changes in Food and Supplies Department
A major change has also been made in the Food and Supplies Department.
Parvez Ahmed Siddiqui
- Shifted from Principal Secretary, Food & Supplies Department
- Posted to State Gazetteers
Jagdish Prasad Meena (IAS:2004)
- Earlier handling Women and Child Development
- Appointed Secretary, Food & Supplies Department
The department plays a critical role in public distribution and food security programmes across the state.
Transport and Irrigation Departments Get New Heads
Ravi Inder Singh
Previously serving as Principal Secretary of the Self-Help Group and Self-Employment Department, he has now been appointed:
- Principal Secretary, Transport Department
Rajesh Kumar Sinha
- Appointed Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Waterways Department
Both departments are central to infrastructure development and rural connectivity initiatives.
Additional Charge for Soumitra Mohan
Senior bureaucrat Soumitra Mohan has been entrusted with an additional responsibility.
Apart from serving as:
- Secretary to the Governor
He will now also hold:
- Additional Charge as Secretary, Information and Cultural Affairs Department
Rajeev Kumar Posted to Technical Education
Another key appointment includes:
Rajeev Kumar
- Appointed Principal Secretary, Technical Education and Skill Development Department
The department is responsible for higher technical education, vocational training, and workforce development initiatives.
Moumita Godara Basu Gets Women & Child Development Department
Moumita Godara Basu
Previously serving as Secretary of the Health Department, she has been appointed:
- Secretary, Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department
The department oversees welfare schemes for women, children, and vulnerable sections of society.
Rachna Bhagat Elevated as Labour Secretary
Rachna Bhagat
- Formerly Director, ICDS
- Elevated as Secretary, Labour Department
Her promotion reflects the government’s focus on strengthening labour administration and welfare mechanisms.
Neelam Meena Gets Additional Environment Charge
Neelam Meena
Currently serving as:
- Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal
She has been given:
- Additional Charge as Principal Secretary, Environment Department
The move places a senior officer with significant administrative experience in charge of environmental governance.
Government Says Reshuffle Aimed at Improving Efficiency
According to officials at Nabanna, the reshuffle has been carried out to:
- Improve governance delivery
- Enhance administrative efficiency
- Strengthen departmental coordination
- Accelerate implementation of government programmes
- Ensure effective policy execution
Sources indicate that the government intends to place experienced officers in departments considered critical for development, welfare delivery, infrastructure creation, and administrative reforms.
Political Significance of the Reshuffle
Observers believe the transfer exercise reflects the government’s determination to speed up decision-making and remove bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The reshuffle comes at a time when the administration is focusing on infrastructure expansion, industrial development, welfare delivery, land administration, and skill development.
While officials describe the exercise as routine and undertaken in public interest, many within administrative circles see it as an effort to align the bureaucracy more closely with the government’s priorities and long-term governance agenda.
Key IAS Officers Transferred/Assigned New Roles
- Anup Kumar Agarwal (1993) → ACS, Personnel & Administrative Reforms; ACS, MSME & Textiles
- Nandini Chakraborty (1994) → ACS, Science & Technology & Biotechnology; Additional Charge, Housing
- Surendra Gupta → Principal Secretary, Land & Land Reforms; Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation
- Parvez Ahmed Siddiqui → Posted to State Gazetteers
- Jagdish Prasad Meena (2004) → Secretary, Food & Supplies
- Ravi Inder Singh → Principal Secretary, Transport
- Rajesh Kumar Sinha → Principal Secretary, Irrigation & Waterways
- Soumitra Mohan → Additional Charge, Information & Cultural Affairs
- Rajeev Kumar → Principal Secretary, Technical Education & Skill Development
- Moumita Godara Basu → Secretary, Women & Child Development and Social Welfare
- Rachna Bhagat → Secretary, Labour Department
- Neelam Meena → Additional Charge, Principal Secretary, Environment Department
