Bengal Civic Volunteer Issue: Governor Seeks CM’s Input on Supreme Court Observations

Kolkata, Oct 23: West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has requested Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to provide insights on 12 critical points regarding the recruitment of civic volunteers in the state police force. This inquiry follows recent Supreme Court observations highlighting significant flaws in the system.

In a statement shared via the official X handle of ‘Raj Bhavan Media Cell’, the Governor outlined the specific points of concern, which include:

1. The total number of civic volunteers engaged since 2021.
2. The total amount paid to these volunteers.
3. The legal authority under which they were recruited.
4. The government orders facilitating such recruitment.
5. The rules governing their recruitment.
6. The training system established before their deployment.
7. The departments where civic volunteers are assigned.
8. The duration of their employment.
9. The total number of sanctioned posts in state government departments and the number of vacancies.
10. The number of government employees recruited through open recruitment.
11. Reasons for not filling permanent employee positions.
12. Any other relevant information.

The inquiry comes in light of a recent incident where a civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was identified as the “sole prime accused” in the rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. This tragedy has intensified scrutiny over the recruitment practices of civic volunteers, which have been criticized for their lack of legal authority, unverified processes, political influence, inadequate training, and limited accountability.

Concerns about the impartiality of civic volunteers, particularly their perceived political ties, have been echoed by opposition parties in the state. The Governor has previously expressed dissatisfaction with the initial investigation carried out by Kolkata Police into the R.G. Kar incident, questioning the handling of the case before it was transferred to the CBI.

The Governor’s request for clarity on these points reflects a broader effort to ensure transparency and accountability within the recruitment and functioning of civic volunteers in West Bengal.