Centre seeks services of West Bengal chief secretary after PM-Mamata meet row

• Centre on Friday night sought services of West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay. Centre also asked the state government to relieve the officer immediately. The move comes barely four days after Bandyopadhyay was granted extension. Alapan Bandyopadhyay is a 1987-batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre. Bandyopadhyay was scheduled to retire on May 31 after completion of 60 years of age. However, he was granted a three-month extension following a nod from Centre. CM Mamata Banerjee had written to PM Modi urging Bandyopadhyay's extension. Mamata sought an extension for at least 6 months in view of his Covid handling experience. Bandyopadhyay has been directed to report to his New Delhi office by 10 am on May 31. Bandyopadhyay took over as chief secy after Rajiva Sinha retired in September last year. The order came on a day PM Modi visited Bengal to review Cyclone Yaas situation and damages.