Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 17: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Tuesday said he is yet to receive any official communication from the Mamata Banerjee-led government regarding the resignation of state sports minister Arup Biswas.

“The Constitution stipulates that the resignation of a minister and the reallocation of portfolios should be done with the approval of the Governor. I am waiting for official correspondence from the government,” Bose told reporters in New Delhi.

Referring to the alleged mismanagement during the Lionel Messi-related event in Kolkata, the Governor said there had been widespread public demand for immediate resignation of the sports minister, who was present at the venue on the day of the incident.

“Initially, through a representative of the Lok Bhavan and subsequently through a letter, an advisory was issued to the government. It suggested that the sports minister and others responsible should candidly admit their vicarious liability in the matter and step down. An inquiry is also necessary to fix responsibility for the lapses that occurred,” Bose said.

The Governor described the incident as a case of “specific, perceptible and systemic failure” in event management. “It is surprising that a metropolis like Kolkata does not have standard operating procedures for managing large congregations,” he remarked.

Emphasising the need to safeguard public safety, Bose also demanded the introduction of a mandatory insurance scheme for spectators attending such large-scale events, with the premium to be borne by the organisers.