A fresh controversy has emerged in the Bodoland Territorial Council’s (BTC) Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Department following a reshuffle of responsibilities among officials through an order issued on November 12.
The allocation of important administrative responsibilities has raised questions over whether seniority norms were followed, with allegations that relatively junior officials have been given key positions despite the availability of senior officers in the department.
According to the order, Abu Taher Sumsuz Zaman Laskar, a Senior Inspector in Chirang and currently serving as In-Charge Deputy Director, has been assigned the additional responsibility of In-Charge Head of Department. He has also been given financial, administrative and personnel-related powers.
In another appointment, Pradip Prasad, Assistant Director in Salbari, has been assigned the responsibility of In-Charge Joint Director in Kokrajhar.
The appointments have reportedly raised concerns among senior officials, who have questioned why officers holding higher ranks were not given preference for these important responsibilities.
The department has several officers at the levels of Additional Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director and Superintendent. This has led to questions over the criteria followed while assigning the new responsibilities.
Another point of concern relates to Pradip Prasad’s appointment as In-Charge Joint Director. According to sources within the department, a departmental proceeding is pending against him, which has reportedly affected his promotion. Questions have therefore been raised over the decision to assign him the responsibility of Joint Director while the proceeding is ongoing.
The designation of Abu Taher Sumsuz Zaman Laskar as a ‘Senior Inspector’ in the official order has also drawn attention. According to information available from the department’s sanctioned post structure, there is no separate post designated as Senior Inspector, with only the post of Inspector listed. This has raised questions about the accuracy and administrative basis of the designation used in the order.
The November 12 order, signed by BTC Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Department Secretary Manas Das, stated that the responsibilities were assigned in the interest of the smooth functioning of the department.
The new arrangements have come into immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.
The department’s clarification on the concerns surrounding seniority, the pending departmental proceeding and the designation mentioned in the order is awaited.
