Gautam Deb given SMC helm- The former MLA/minister says his priority will be to fight the Covid situation and help people in need

SANKHA GHOSH, SNS,  SILIGURI, 6 MAY 21 : Trinamul Congress leader and former tourism minister Gautam Deb will lead a four-member board of administrators (BoA) at the Siliguri Municipal Commotion (SMC) and work on containment and management of Covid 19 in the town. The opposition parties, however, raised questions on the decision of the state government to appoint such a BoA.

An order issued by the principal secretary of the urban development and state municipal affairs department, Khalil Ahmed, today read "...it has now become necessary to constitute an experienced body of persons well equipped and competent with necessary experience, both in matters of local municipal governance as well as knowledgeable of the issues of the entire North Bengal region as a whole, for a holistic, synergized an dwell-coordinated approach with the state agencies in this regard, to handle and contain the grave situation due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and to effectively discharge the essential functions of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation in order to give effect to the essential provisions of the West Bengal Municipal Corporation Act, 2006 in larger public interest."

The notice stated that since the model code of conduct for elections ended on 3 May, the Election Commission of India's (EU) order to remove some appointed members ceased to exist.

The civic body elections in Siliguri could not be held last year in view of the coronavirus pandemic, and the state government had appointed a seven-member BoA, with the immediate past mayor and senior CPI-M leader Asok Bhattacharya as the chairperson. Mr Bhattacharya, however, stepped down from the post to contest the Assembly elections in Siliguri on 17 March. The principal secretary of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Surendra Gupta was made the administrator of the civic body on 22 March after the ECI ordered removal of the political appointees.

Both Mr Deb and Bhattacharya faced defeat in the just-concluded Assembly elections in Dabgram-Fulbari and Siliguri Assembly constituencies, respectively.

Last year, Mr Deb, as a cabinet minister, and Mr Bhattacharya, as the chairperson, had efficiently led several activities in the town.

"The civic body and ward committees stood beside the people in crisis, monitoring the needs of the people whose family members were in home isolation, delivery of medicines, and food at their doorstep. The minister had made several visits at hospitals to take stock of the treatment of patients, met doctors and other stakeholders on a regular basis, but this year, no such mechanism was in place. No one knows exactly how to deal with the situation. The experience of Mr Deb and other members to combat the situation will be helpful," said a functionary of a voluntary organisation.

Ward coordinators had played a crucial role in tackling the Covid -19 situation in the town last year. They had provided cooked and uncooked food to quarantined families, and helped conduct Covid tests for many people.

Darjeeling district Trinamul Congress president Ranjan Sarkar, INTEUC leader Alok Chakraborty and journalist Vivek Baid are the other members of the new SMC BoA.

Mr Deb said he will review the situation after taking charge tomorrow.

"Our priority will he to help the people, coordinate with the policies of the state government in treatment of Covid-19 patients. There will be area-based teams, and engagement of voluntary organisations, mass organisations and clubs. I will hold a meeting to take stock of the situation tomorrow. I will also seek suggestions from Mr Bhattacharya, because he has the experience," Mr Deb said.

Mr Deb also said he will seek cooperation from former coordinators of other political parties.

He, however, dodged questions on whether he was aspiring to become the mayor of Siliguri.

"I have no personal aspirations, and I will act according to the instructions of the party supremo Mamata Banerjee," Mr Deb said.

Mr Bhattacharya, on the other hand, raised questions on the rationality of the order.

"For other civic bodies, the state government has reinstated the BoA, though I had made it clear that I would not take charge of the BoA again, as I have lost in the elections. The former members of the BoA could have been inducted there. I have questions about the rationality of the decision, as it could be more political" he said.

Newly-elected BJP MLA of Siliguri Shankar Ghosh also wondered how Mr Deb could be nominated in the post as he had lost the elections. Mr Ghosh said that the state government's adoption of different decisions for different local self-governments was unfortunate.