The Central Government rejected the allegations of Mamata, told why the action was taken on the former Chief Secretary of Bengal

The central government on Tuesday defended its move to summon former West Bengal chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay and has termed its transfer order constitutional, according to sources. On Tuesday, Alapan was issued a show-cause notice from the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Disaster Management Act and sought a reply in three days. Central government sources told ANI, "The order is completely constitutional as the chief secretary is an IAS officer. He chose to neglect his constitutional duties, as a result of which no official of the Government of West Bengal attended the review meeting of the Prime Minister.

Let us tell you that Prime Minister Modi had to wait for 15 minutes for the officials of the state government. After this, the Chief Secretary and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came and left immediately. Thereafter, Chief Secretary Alapan was asked to report to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), New Delhi. But a day later, he opted to retire from his post as chief secretary and joined the Mamata Banerjee-led government as her chief advisor.

The Center then accused Mamata of shielding Bandyopadhyay from disciplinary action. It was said on behalf of the government that the retirement of the Chief Secretary shows that Mamata Banerjee is on the back foot. She knows that the facts of the case are against the Chief Secretary and strict disciplinary action can be taken against her, as she is an IAS officer. Mamta knows all this and her retirement is work done to save her.

Government sources also refuted other allegations made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that she was not informed about the Prime Minister's meeting on time. Sources also said that the Prime Minister did not allow Mamata Banerjee to leave the meeting, as she had claimed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting in Paschim Medinipur district to take stock of the situation after the cyclone. Mamata Banerjee was to attend the meeting. However, she arrived 30 minutes late and submitted a report of the damage caused by the impact of Cyclone Yas. After this, he and the Chief Secretary of the state left the meeting.