CM Suvendu assigns key portfolios, DA and 7th pay panel talks next week

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday (May 11) allocated portfolios to five of his cabinet colleagues. Earlier in the day, Adhikari had convened a cabinet meeting with Chief Secretary Dushmanta Nariwala and other senior administrative officials.

Key cabinet portfolios

While former State BJP president Dilip Ghosh has been assigned the departments of Panchayats, Agricultural Marketing, and Animal Resources Development, Agnimitra Paul has been given charge of the Women, Children and Social Welfare Department, as well as the Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department.

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Former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik will oversee the Sports Department and the North Bengal Development Department.

The Food and Supplies Department has gone to Ashok Kirtania. Khudiram Tudu has been placed in charge of the Tribal Development Department.

According to a report in local media, all remaining departments will, for the time being, remain under the Chief Minister’s direct supervision.

Cabinet meeting agenda

The second cabinet meeting of the West Bengal government is scheduled to be held on May 18, where key decisions on DA, implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission and other administrative issues are expected to be taken, said Adhikari.

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Addressing reporters, Adhikari said the meeting would also focus on measures to tackle crimes against women, institutional corruption and governance issues, including developments concerning the RG Kar case.

"Next Monday, I will hold another cabinet meeting where we will discuss the RG Kar issue, atrocities on women, institutional corruption, and the pay commission," he said.

Pending policy decisions

Adhikari said several important matters could not be taken up during the first cabinet meeting due to a lack of time.

"At the first meeting, decisions were taken only on files that were already prepared. More detailed policy matters will come up at the next meeting," he said.

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State government employees have long been demanding DA on a par with central staff.

The issue is currently pending before the Supreme Court. With the change in government, employees are hopeful that the new administration will announce DA in line with central rates.

DA, pay panel in focus

The government is also likely to consider the formation of the Seventh Pay Commission, a move that could lead to a revision in salaries of state government employees.

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The CM indicated that a decision on granting Dearness Allowance (DA) to state government employees and pensioners at central rates may also be announced at Monday's cabinet meeting.

Adhikari said senior ministers Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul will brief the media on the proceedings of the next cabinet meeting.

"The CM will brief the media from time to time. Next Monday, senior leaders Ghosh and Paul will brief reporters," Adhikari said.

(With agency inputs)