A second round of reshuffle at the lowest bureaucratic and police administration levels in West Bengal is expected to be revealed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) this week. This reshuffle will involve block development officers (BDOs) and police inspectors, the lowest ranks in their respective hierarchies. BDOs also serve as returning officers (ROs) during elections, while West Bengal is among the few states where police inspectors hold a gazetted status.
The ECI has already initiated the first round of reshuffling by transferring 83 BDOs/ROs and 184 inspector-ranking officers in West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police. These officers were serving as officers-in-charge or inspectors-in-charge at police station levels. Since the announcement of the polling schedule for West Bengal, the ECI has been issuing periodic transfer orders for bureaucrats and police officers at various levels.
The reshuffle process began with high-ranking officials like the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, followed by mid-level officers such as District Magistrates and Deputy Inspector Generals. Currently, the focus is on the lower levels of the administrative hierarchy, targeting BDOs and Inspectors. The Trinamool Congress leadership, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has criticized the ECI for these transfers, alleging political influence.
A public interest litigation challenging the transfers ordered by the ECI was recently heard at the Calcutta High Court, with the judgment pending. The ongoing reshuffle of bureaucrats and police personnel in West Bengal has sparked controversy and accusations of political motivations.
