Just hours after the announcement of the dates of Assembly elections 2026 in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) made a major reshuffle in the state administration. The Commission first ordered the removal of the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary and now senior police officers of the state have also been transferred. The state DGP, IG and Kolkata Police Commissioner have been removed from their posts and new officers will be given the responsibility in their place.
Chief Secretary and Home Secretary changed
The Election Commission has removed West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena from their posts. Dushyant Nariyala has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of the state in place of Nandini Chakraborty. Sangamitra Ghosh has been made the new Home Secretary.
Transfer of senior police officers
Along with the administrative reshuffle, the Commission has also made changes in the police department of the state. The West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP), an IG rank officer and the Kolkata Police Commissioner have also been transferred. New officers will soon be appointed in place of these officers, who will take charge of law and order during the elections.
Seven AERO officers were suspended
Taking strict action, the Election Commission has also directly suspended seven AERO officials. The Commission believes that changes in the administrative system are necessary to keep the election process fair and transparent.
Know who got the responsibility
ECI said in a letter that 1993 batch IAS officer Dushyant Nariyala has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of West Bengal. Whereas 1997 batch IAS officer Sangamitra Ghosh has been posted as the Principal Secretary of Home and Hill Affairs of West Bengal. The Election Commission has directed that these orders should be implemented immediately and the report regarding the involvement of these officers should be sent by 3 pm on March 16 (Monday).

