IAS Barun Ray has been given the charge of the recently formed monitoring cell for proper implementation of government schemes and to probe into complaints relating to “cut money”.
The 1992-batch officer, Ray, who is presently posted as commissioner Malda division has been transferred to the post of commissioner Burdwan division. Along with this, Mr Ray would also hold the charge of OSD at Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in the rank of principal secretary in charge of Monitoring of Programme Implementation and Grievance Cell.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had opened the cell under her for “Programme Implementation of Government Schemes and Redressal of Grievances/Complaints” and announced a toll-free number for lodging complaints. The cell has received 1,500 complaints so far. Colonel (retired) Diptangshu Chowdhury, who heads the cell has visited the districts and interacted with the beneficiaries who have been denied government welfare scheme benefits or harassed against receiving such benefits. The issue of “cut money” has triggered large-scale protests against Trinamul Congress’ elected representatives across the state
In view of the public outbursts, government has asked police superintendents to initiate cases on complaints of accepting cut money under Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code which calls for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
Presently, Mr Gautam Sanyal, who is one of the most powerful bureaucrats is posted in the Chief Minister’s Office in the same rank as that of Mr Ray. Infact, Miss Banerjee had amended secretariat rules to bring him in as principal secretary, a post reserved for IAS officers.
Ministers and even the state chief secretary discusses important matters with Mr Sanyal before placing it before the chief minister Mamata Banerjee.