Kolkata, 21 March (H.S.): The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, has directed district magistrates (DMs) who were recently removed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to vacate their official bungalows by March 22 to facilitate accommodation for their successors.

According to sources in the CEO’s office, the Election Commission had recently removed 13 officials of the rank of district magistrate, who also served as district electoral officers, and announced their replacements. However, complaints were received this week that some of the removed officials had not yet vacated their official residences.

Sources said such complaints were received from districts including Cooch Behar, Malda and Jalpaiguri. Following this, the CEO’s office issued clear instructions that the concerned officials must vacate the government bungalows within the stipulated deadline to ensure smooth transition of responsibilities.

Officials in the CEO’s office pointed out that the official residence of a district magistrate is not only a place of accommodation but also functions as an important secondary workplace. Continued occupation by the removed officials could therefore create difficulties for their successors, especially at a time when the state is preparing for Assembly elections and administrators are required to handle both governance and election-related responsibilities.

Meanwhile, a retired state government bureaucrat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that taking some time to vacate official accommodation after transfer or retirement has been a long-standing practice. However, he added that while such delays may be tolerated under normal circumstances, they are not considered appropriate during the election period, given the additional administrative and electoral responsibilities handled by district magistrates.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh