Mamata Banerjee asks West Bengal civil service officers not to act on Centre's direction

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday asked WBCS officers not to act on any directive by the central government without asking the state government.

"Instructions are coming from Delhi these days. Remember that you work for the state (government). You inform us but do not implement things on your own," Banerjee said addressing an annual general meeting of West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) Officers Association here. She said the state government would tell them what should be done and what not to be. Banerjee has alleged that the Narendra Modi government has been trying to bulldoze the federal structure and giving direct orders to district magistrates.

On the issue of demonetization, the Chief Minister said that the state's revenue had fallen by 25 per cent. "Small sector industries, unorganised sector, salaried class people are all in an unstable condition," she said.
Describing WBCS officers as the "face of the government", she announced new facilities for the cadre.

"IAS officers will now get a special allowance of Rs 1,300 while WBCS will get Rs 1,200," Banerjee said adding that now the government has allowed WBCS cadre to go on foreign tours and increased facilities for training.