(n). 14th Posting - Urban Development Department

On April 1, 1993, I joined as the Deputy Secretary of the Urban Development Department.   Later, I got promoted, in situ, to the post of Joint Secretary in the cadre of WBCS (Executive), effective August 1, 1993.  

While working here, I  received the order of my promotion to the IAS for the second time in Dec 1993, appointing me as the Additional Executive Officer, Burdwan Zilla Parishad, with Headquarters at Burdwan. I did not join. Two years hence, in September 1995, I received an order appointing me as the Additional District Magistrate and Additional Collector, Howrah in the cadre of the IAS. This time I joined, as I could commute from my home in Calcutta. I have discussed the circumstances leading to my joining the IAS after a considerable lapse of time in detail on the page named "History of my entry to IAS" of this website.

During my tenure in the Urban Development Department, first as the Deputy Secretary and then as the Joint Secretary, I was associated with the formulation of policy for metropolitan area development, preparation of the departmental budgets, matters concerning Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority, and Calcutta, and Howrah Improvement Trusts. I had also to deal with the administrative and financial aspects of these statutory bodies at the Govt. level. I also looked after Kalyani Township matters. I left this department on the afternoon of October 16, 1995, to take up my new assignment in the cadre of the IAS.