Kolkata, Oct 22 (IANS) West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday described as “unconstitutional” and alleged censorship after his proposed meeting at 24 Parganas North district’s Dhamakhali failed to take off with the invited people’s representatives and senior officials not turning up and the district magistrate informing him that permission of the state government was required.
An angry Governor, who reached Dhamakhali, about 75 km from Kolkata, in the morning, said he had notified the district administration on October 17 about his intended visit and directed that invites be sent out to those he wanted to participate in the interaction.
“But on October 21, I received a reply from the district magistrate that permission of the West Bengal government is required for the undersigned (district magistrate) to request the invitees to attend the interactive session,” he said.
“All necessary action will be taken as desired from this end after the receipt of the said permission from the state,” the letter said.
Calling it “unconstitutional”, the Governor said he was the constitutional head of the state and not “subordinate to the state government”.
The development came a month after the Governor had a similar experience in Siliguri of Darjeeling district in northern Bengal where he had also convened a meeting of public representatives and senior officials. The Governor wondered whether there was a censorship in the state.
He also took exception to the DM’s contention that “all senior government functionaries were in north Bengal for an administrative review meeting of the Chief Minister,” the letter said.
“The CM can go on a visit. But does that mean the government machinery will be on a holiday?” Dhankhar asked.
The Governor left for Sajnekhali in 24 Parganas South district for holding another interactive sessions with people’s representatives, senior administrative and police and BSF officials.
As per the itinerary announced by Raj Bhavan, the Basirhat Lok Sabha member Nusrat Jahan, the ‘sabhadhipati’ of the North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad, MLA of Sandeshkhali assembly constituency — all belonging to the ruling Trinamool Congress — besides Divisional Commissioner of Presidency Division, DM of North 24-Parganas and senior police officers were invited for the Dhamakhali meeting.
–IANS
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