Mamata government brings down number of departments to reduce costs

In a bid to curb costs, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on Friday brought down the number of its departments from 63 to 52 by merging 21 departments into 10.

"With the merger of these 21 departments into 10 new merged departments, the net reduction of the number of number of state government departments will be 11, i.e. from the existing 63 number to 52," said state Finance Minister Amit Mitra.

He said the state cabinet decided to reduce the number in order to achive greater efficiency, reduce costs in running of the government and to ensure better delivery of public services.

Certain existing departments like Hill Affairs are consolidated with the Home Department, whereas departments of Youth Services and Sports have been made one.

E-governance will be given a major focus in the administrative reforms and the subject will be transferred to the present Personnel, Administrative Reforms and E-Governance Department, said Mitra.

--IANS

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