In a significant move aimed at strengthening the state’s anti-corruption drive, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a major reshuffle in the state’s Police Department. The reshuffle, which includes key transfers within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), was implemented on Wednesday.
According to an official statement, the Additional Director General (I) of the CID, R Rajasekaran, has been transferred and appointed as the Additional Director General (Training). However, the announcement of Rajasekaran’s successor is yet to be made.
In a further series of transfers, the current Additional Director General (Training), Damayanti Sen, has been moved to the post of Additional Director General (Policy Making), while R. Sivakumar, who was the Additional Director General of Policy Making, has been transferred to the Enforcement Branch (EB) as Additional Director General. Additionally, the current Additional Director General of EB, Rajeev Mishra, has been appointed Additional Director General (Organisation and Modernisation).
This major reshuffle comes just weeks after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s statement on November 21, where she announced the changes would take place within the CID and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) departments to bolster the state’s fight against corruption. During her address to the media, Banerjee acknowledged that corruption persists at certain lower levels of the police force, which has been tarnishing the state’s reputation.
“The political leaders are always criticized for their involvement in corruption. If any politician does any corrupt act involving just Rs 5, it is projected as Rs 550. However, politicians think ten times before cheating people and getting involved in corruption. Some lower-level officers and staff in the police forces get involved in corruption, which gives a bad name to the state,” Banerjee remarked, highlighting the need for reforms within the system.
The reshuffle is expected to send a strong message about the state government’s commitment to addressing corruption within its ranks, with a focus on improving transparency and accountability in law enforcement. The Chief Minister’s actions are part of her ongoing efforts to modernize the police department and ensure that it serves the public with integrity and efficiency.
While the reshuffling of top police officials is a major step, further details regarding the exact dates of the new appointments and the replacement of CID chief R Rajasekaran are awaited.
