The appointment of parliamentary secretaries was resented by the opposition parties, including CPI-M and Congress, on the ground that it would impose a further burden on the state government already stressed by an acute finacial crisis.
Government Chief Whip Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay regretting the opposition boycott, told reporters, "It is very unfortunate that none of the opposition members turned up in today's oath-taking ceremony in the Assembly premises, although we invited all members of all political parties having representation in the House."
The parliamentary secretaries were formally appointed on January 21.
Chattopadhyay said that the parliamentary secretaries would enjoy the status, privileges and perks similar to that of a minister of state or deputy minister as the Chief Minister prefers.
Areas of their responsibility would be determined by Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra in an official notification soon, he said.
Chattopadhyay said that different committees in the state Assembly would be reconstituted with the new members replacing those who have been sworn in as parliamentary secretaries.
To a question, the Chief Minister said there was scope for extension of the number of parliamentary secretaries, though for the current year the number would be restricted to 13.
