How West Bengal is preparing amidst Indo-Pak tensions

A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the cancellation of leaves for state government employees amidst India’s military action against Pakistan-based terror outfits, an official notification was issued on Thursday formalising the decision.

 

 

 

The notification stated that, in light of the current circumstances and in the interest of maintaining public services, all previously approved leaves for West Bengal government employees are to be cancelled with immediate effect -- except for medical leave.

 

 

 

Additionally, it instructed that no government official is allowed to leave headquarters without written permission from their departmental head. The order, issued in the public interest, will remain in effect until further notice.

 

 

 

Following the directive from Nabanna, the state secretariat, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) reportedly took immediate action by cancelling all leaves for its employees indefinitely. The KMC has communicated this decision to departmental heads across all offices.

 

 

 

All disaster management units have been instructed to remain on high alert until further notice, especially during night hours. Essential supplies such as tarpaulins, rice, pulses, and dry food must be kept ready for relief efforts, and fresh stock should be procured if needed.

 

 

 

The KMC’s control room will remain operational 24/7, with officials required to be present at all times. Additionally, strict surveillance has been ordered for all KMC infrastructure. Senior and key officials have been instructed to keep their mobile phones on at all times to ensure constant availability.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, CM Banerjee held a meeting on Thursday to restrict the black marketing of essential food items and agricultural products. She issued a stern warning to unscrupulous traders who might exploit the situation by hoarding food products and raising their prices. 

 

 

 

“Given the current situation in the country, no one should try to raise prices through black marketing or hoard goods excessively. Border regions must be monitored closely. There is enough stock of potatoes in the state’s cold storages. Supply is greater than demand,” she stated

 

 

 

The state government already has a special task force in place to monitor and control prices. Along with representatives from various traders’ associations across the state and cold storages, several ministers and senior administrative and police officials attended the meeting. 

 

 

 

“We must think of the country as our own home. Everyone should treat it like their own and stay vigilant. In the current situation, if any reports of black marketing emerge in the state, the government will seize everything involved,” the chief minister added. 

 

 

 

 

India