Special Correspondent | DURANTA TV WEB | July 1:
Even after retiring from regular government service, a distinguished bureaucrat who continues to use the “IAS” designation after his name has, so far, received eight consecutive reappointments. By what magic has this been possible? Is it in the public interest? Or in personal interest? Or in the interest of someone else?
The same mistake has been repeated yet again! A mistake? Or a deliberate act of misconduct? A mistake may happen once. But when the same thing happens repeatedly, it can no longer be called a mistake. Rather, it becomes a deliberate act driven by vested interests to protect one or more established beneficiaries.
Earlier, DURANTA TV had published a detailed report, supported by documentary evidence, regarding the sixth reappointment of retired IAS officer Anindya Kumar Bhattacharya as Special Secretary to the Government of Tripura through a retrospective order. Although he was reappointed with effect from 15 October 2025, the government order was issued eight days later, on 22 October 2025. Such an order was allegedly contrary to law, and it raises serious doubts as to whether there exists any other instance anywhere in India of a retrospective appointment or reappointment of this nature.
Moreover, the very same order stated that the appointment would remain valid for a fixed period of six months, while simultaneously stating that it would continue until further orders, implying an indefinite duration. In other words, the order contained two completely contradictory provisions at the same time, making it, in legal terms, an ambiguous order. This not only became a subject of discussion and ridicule within administrative circles and among a large section of the public, but also gave rise to questions about whose interests such a contradictory order was intended to serve.
Furthermore, since no reappointment can ordinarily be made without the concurrence of the General Administration (P&T) Department, the Finance Department, the Cabinet & Confidential Department, and above all, the Chief Secretary of the State, this unusual and allegedly unlawful retrospective order, containing contradictory provisions, also raised suspicions within administrative circles regarding the role, or even the direct or indirect involvement, of the Chief Secretary and the senior officials of the departments concerned.
Now, the seventh reappointment order issued in the name of the same retired bureaucrat, Anindya Kumar Bhattacharya, appears to contain the very same irregularities once again. This time, however, the extent of the alleged irregularity appears even greater than before.
DURANTA TV has already obtained a copy of the government order relating to his seventh reappointment. The document clearly shows that this, too, is a retrospective order. Although the order was issued on 27 April 2026, it states that Anindya Kumar Bhattacharya had been appointed as Special Secretary to the Government of Tripura with effect from 15 April 2026—that is, thirteen days before the order itself was issued. What better term can describe such a situation than a “ghost appointment”?
Once again, the same order states that it will remain valid for six months, while simultaneously declaring that it shall continue until further orders, thereby implying an indefinite period of validity. Quite astonishing indeed.
However, with the repeated occurrence of such alleged irregularities, suspicions are steadily growing within administrative circles and among the public that the repeated issuance of such orders may have been carried out with the direct support, or at least the tacit approval, of the State’s Chief Secretary and the senior officials of the departments concerned.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect is that, while the State Government—and particularly the Hon’ble Chief Minister—repeatedly speaks of following a policy of “zero tolerance” against corruption, a series of evidence-based reports concerning the alleged unethical conduct of certain senior bureaucrats have continued to emerge. Yet, questions persist as to why neither the Government nor the Hon’ble Chief Minister has initiated a fair investigation or taken appropriate action against those concerned. This, too, is deepening the mystery in the minds of many.
Not once, but repeatedly, similar government orders have been issued. Questions are once again being raised over retrospective effect and contradictory provisions. Based on official government documents, DURANTA TV presents the facts before the public.