Agartala, July 19: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Sunday asserted that the state government would take strict action against any officer found guilty of misconduct, including a suspended official accused of sharing sensitive information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act with Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury.
Responding to allegations raised by the CPI(M) and the Left Front over the appointment of retired IAS officer P.K. Chakravarty as the State Election Commissioner, Dr. Saha said the government would not shield anyone if allegations were substantiated.
“If any of the allegations are proved, strict action will be taken. No one will be spared,” the Chief Minister said while speaking to reporters.
Referring to Chakravarty and another retired IAS officer, Anindya Kumar Bhattacharjee, Dr. Saha claimed both had earlier been considered close to the CPI(M). He questioned why the opposition had suddenly started targeting them, suggesting that they might have refused to extend any undue favours.
P.K. Chakravarty, who had earlier served as Secretary to the Chief Minister, was recently appointed as the State Election Commissioner after being relieved from his previous post. His appointment drew sharp criticism from the Left Front, which alleged corruption and demanded that the government revoke the decision.
Rejecting the allegations, Dr. Saha accused the CPI(M) of attempting to politicise government institutions. He said that political interference in the administration was common during the previous Left regime but claimed the present government follows a different approach.
“The officers currently serving were largely recruited during the previous government’s tenure. If any corruption charges against anyone are established, the government will certainly act,” he said.
The Chief Minister also criticised Opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhury for his remarks, claiming that the RTI documents referred to during the latter’s press conference had been obtained by a suspended and “tainted” officer. Appropriate action, he said, would also be initiated against that individual.
Besides the political issue, Dr. Saha highlighted the government’s focus on improving education, particularly in tribal areas. He said special measures would be introduced to improve the student-teacher ratio, reduce school dropouts and curb migration from government schools.
On the BJP’s alliance with Tipra Motha ahead of the upcoming Village Committee elections in the TTAADC, the Chief Minister said discussions between the two parties were underway and the outcome would be known in due course.
He also said the announcement regarding the BJP’s new state committee would be made at an appropriate time.
