Kolkata, 17th Feb. The West Bengal government took decisive action on Friday by removing Jyotipriya Mallick from his position as Forest Minister.
Mallick, currently incarcerated due to his alleged involvement in a multi-crore ration distribution scam, had his responsibilities transferred to Birbaha Hansda, Minister of State for Forests and Self Help – Self Employment Group (Independent Charge).
Furthermore, the portfolio of Public Enterprises and Industrial Reconstruction, formerly overseen by Mallick, has been reassigned to Partha Bhowmick, confirmed a senior official.
Partha Bhowmick, who serves as the Minister-in-charge of the Irrigation and Waterways Department, will now take charge of the aforementioned portfolio.
According to sources, the decision was made following the counsel of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Governor C V Ananda Bose invoked his powers under Article 166(3) of the Constitution to relieve Mallick of his ministerial duties with immediate effect, sources from the Raj Bhavan revealed.
It’s noteworthy that Jyotipriya Mallick was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last October under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the scandal.
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