Manoj Pant: Manoj Pant will continue to head the West Bengal state administration. Although he was scheduled to retire on Monday, the state government has decided to extend his tenure by another six months. Following approval from the central government, a notification was issued confirming that Mr. Pant will serve as the Chief Secretary until December 31 of this year.
Why This Extension?
According to sources at Nabanna, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is satisfied with the current administrative setup and does not wish to make any significant changes ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Manoj Pant is considered a trusted and confidential officer of the Chief Minister. During his tenure, he has successfully handled several critical situations. These include the junior doctors’ agitation following the incident at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, the teachers’ agitation after a Supreme Court verdict, and the riots in Murshidabad. His role in these situations has been widely praised in administrative circles.
Manoj Pant: A Skilled and Soft-Spoken Bureaucrat
The 1991-batch IAS officer is known for his efficiency and soft-spoken nature. When the central government did not approve the extension for his predecessor, B.P. Gopalika, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chose him for the post. Along with Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, he successfully negotiated with the fasting junior doctors, bringing an end to the stalemate.
An Illustrious Career
- He took charge as the state’s Chief Secretary in September 2023.
- Previously, he served as the District Magistrate of Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas.
- From 2009 to 2011, he was the private secretary to the late Pranab Mukherjee during his tenure as the Union Finance Minister.
- He also worked as a senior advisor at the World Bank from 2011 to 2014.
Despite senior officers like Prabhat Mishra, Vivek Kumar, and Nandini Chakraborty being contenders for the post, Manoj Pant was appointed by superseding five senior officers, highlighting the Chief Minister’s confidence in him. His extension is expected to maintain administrative stability and help in advancing the state’s developmental projects.
