Kolkata, 15 May (H.S.) : Former West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, who was removed from office by the Election Commission following the announcement of the Assembly elections, has been assigned a key responsibility in the new state government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

According to sources at Nabanna, Chakraborty has been appointed as the “Principal Coordinator of Development Works” under the Chief Minister’s Office. She has been entrusted with overseeing the process of land transfer to the Border Security Force for fencing work along the India-Bangladesh international border.

The decision follows a resolution passed during the first meeting of the new state cabinet on May 11, which called for completion of the land transfer process within the next 45 days.

Sources said Chakraborty was considered suitable for the responsibility because of her extensive administrative experience and her tenure in several important departments, including the Home Department. Apart from border-related work, she will also monitor the implementation of Centrally-sponsored development projects in the state.

An Indian Administrative Service officer of the West Bengal cadre, Chakraborty was the first woman Chief Secretary of the state. However, her tenure in the top administrative post remained brief. She was removed by the Election Commission just hours after Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the Assembly election schedule on March 15.

Chakraborty was widely regarded as one of the close bureaucratic aides of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. During her career, she also served as the state Home Secretary, Secretary of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, and Secretary to former West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose.

A graduate in Political Science, Chakraborty pursued her higher education at Lady Brabourne College and Jawaharlal Nehru University. Her appointment as Chief Secretary in January 2026, superseding several senior officers, had also triggered controversy at the time.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh