AGARTALA, DURANTA TV WEB, 21 MAY:
After a series of fact-based reports aired by Duranta TV, Akinchan Sarkar is reportedly under mounting pressure. Questions are now being raised within administrative circles — is he attempting an “internal propaganda campaign” against Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha in a desperate bid to save his chair?
At present, one of the most discussed names in Tripura’s administrative circles is Akinchan Sarkar. A senior bureaucrat who has held a powerful position in the Finance Department for years, Sarkar is now facing a barrage of serious allegations. Following consecutive investigative reports by Duranta TV, his conduct, movements, and political networking have come under intense scrutiny within the Secretariat.
According to multiple reliable sources of Duranta TV, Akinchan Sarkar has recently been trying to create political confusion and factionalism by allegedly using the name of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha. Sources claim that in an effort to protect his position, he visited the government quarters of an influential female political leader and made several controversial and misleading remarks against the Chief Minister.
Sources further allege that on May 15, around 3:45 PM, Akinchan Sarkar attended a secret meeting near the Tridev Devi Temple premises in Agartala. Later that 17 may, Sunday, from around 5:20 PM onward, he reportedly held a long meeting at the residence of the same influential female leader. A senior member associated with the TCS officers’ organization was also allegedly present.
According to sources, during the meeting Akinchan Sarkar emotionally appealed to the leader, claiming:
“People close to the Chief Minister are after me… they are leaking information to the media… if I hadn’t managed things, the government would have collapsed by now… I exposed corruption of other officers, that is why everyone has turned against me… I have done nothing wrong… Madam, please save me…”
Sources claim he attempted to portray himself as a victim of conspiracy in order to gain political sympathy. However, the influential female leader reportedly understood what sources described as his “crocodile tears” and did not give much importance to the matter, merely stating that she would “look into it.”
Duranta TV claims to possess sensitive information related to the conversation but says it is unable to release the alleged audio recordings due to concerns regarding source security.
The bigger question now being raised is why Akinchan Sarkar has suddenly become so nervous. Why has he reportedly avoided regular attendance at the Secretariat and instead been moving around at different locations? Allegations suggest that despite not officially applying for leave, he told several people that he had been “outside the state.”
Sources inside the Secretariat also claim that after the Duranta TV reports began airing, Sarkar’s behavior changed drastically. Staff members allege that he has become increasingly irritable and has been misbehaving with lower-level employees bringing files for approval. Several important files are allegedly being returned unsigned, further increasing frustration among employees.
More serious allegations have also surfaced. According to sources, files linked to controversial or questionable administrative decisions — which were previously accessible — are now reportedly being locked away. Allegations suggest that an “Akinchan Team” is actively trying to hide sensitive files.
One of the biggest controversies revolves around the promotion of TCS officers. It has been alleged that nearly aproz 94 TCS officers have had their promotions stalled for years in order to clear the path for Akinchan Sarkar’s own IAS ambitions. Officers from the 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 batches who were supposed to be promoted from Grade-I to SSG reportedly remain stuck, creating massive resentment within administrative circles.
Several pieces of information received by Duranta TV further allege that Akinchan Sarkar deliberately obstructed the career progression of officers including IAS officer Barun Kumar Sau and Abhishek Chandra for personal gain. Sources also claim that the removal of Atanu Dewanji was influenced by Sarkar’s personal interests.
According to insiders, Atanu Dewanji along with several other TCS officers are now prepared to publicly speak out against Akinchan Sarkar if necessary.
One anonymous Grade-II TCS officer alleged:
“Many officers junior to me have already received Grade-I and SSG promotions. Yet I have remained stuck in the same position for 22 years because I spoke in favor of the government against Akinchan Sarkar in a corruption-related matter.”
The officer further alleged that Akinchan Sarkar played a major role behind the recent dismissal proceedings against Manohar Biswas, a Prime Minister’s Award-winning TCS officer, because Biswas had submitted a report against Sarkar in a land corruption case.
Another explosive allegation claims that Sarkar has allegedly been using FR56(J) — a legal provision for compulsory retirement/removal of government employees above 50 years — as a weapon against several senior TCS officers. Critics compare its alleged misuse to how Section 498A was once accused of being misused in personal disputes.
Sources point to the recent case of TCS officer Uttam Baishnab, who was reportedly removed from service under the same provision but later reinstated following a court order.
Further allegations suggest that although a government-appointed committee reportedly submitted recommendations supporting the promotion of TCS officers, the file never reached the Chief Minister’s table. Administrative circles are now asking — who blocked the file?
There are also growing questions regarding Akinchan Sarkar’s own administrative experience. Allegations claim that apart from serving as DCM, he never handled key field-level administrative posts such as BDO, SDM, or ADM after 2003. Yet despite that, he has remained in an influential Finance Department position for nearly 16 years.
Fresh controversy has also emerged over the alleged issuance of an EWS certificate. Sources claim that Sarkar personally called a Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office to push for an EWS certificate for his own niece, despite the family allegedly being financially well-off and not meeting the required eligibility criteria.
Overall, a section of the administrative community now believes that Akinchan Sarkar is not only trying to protect his position and future promotion prospects but is also attempting to create divisions among top political leadership through calculated influence and manipulation — something critics claim he had also done during the Left Front era.
Allegations of blocking careers, exercising political influence, controlling sensitive files, and manipulating administrative processes are now placing him under increasing pressure.
However, when contacted regarding these allegations, Akinchan Sarkar reportedly did not answer phone calls, and no official response has yet been received from him. The allegations also remain independently unverified at this stage. Nevertheless, the unrest and discussion within administrative circles are no longer remaining behind closed doors.