Kolkata, 9 July (H.S.):

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed strong objection to a serious error in a report published by NITI Aayog, where the map of Bihar was mistakenly shown in place of West Bengal. Calling it an “insult” to the identity and dignity of the state, she has demanded a public apology and immediate corrective action from the central think tank.

In a letter addressed to NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman K. Bery, Banerjee highlighted that the error appeared in the “Summary Report for West Bengal,” published in March 2025 and available on the official website of the Aayog. The report, intended to focus on West Bengal, featured a map incorrectly depicting Bihar instead of the state it was meant to represent.

Terming the lapse as more than a mere technical glitch, the Chief Minister described it as a gross oversight by a key national institution. “This undermines the identity and dignity of West Bengal. An error of this nature in an official document raises serious questions about the credibility and seriousness of NITI Aayog’s publications,” Banerjee wrote.

She added that such mistakes could erode public trust not just in the Aayog’s working process but also in the quality and authenticity of its policy recommendations. “It shakes the confidence of both policymakers and citizens in the institution,” the letter noted.

The Chief Minister further stated that the Government of West Bengal strongly condemns this lapse and expects a formal public explanation and apology from the Aayog. She also advised the establishment of a stronger mechanism to prevent such errors in the future.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh