Scam involving rations: Jyotipriya Mallick was arrested and dismissed as minister

The West Bengal government gave Birbaha Hansda the department of Forests in place of Jyotirpriya Mallick, who was imprisoned for his suspected role in a multi-crore ration distribution scheme.
The Minister of State for Forests and Independent Charge of Self-Help – Self Employment Group is Hansda. Partha Bhowmick was given the other Public Enterprises and Industrial Reconstruction post under Mallick, a top official said on Friday.

The Minister in charge of the Department of Waterways and Irrigation is Bhowmick. According to the source, the decision was made based on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s suggestion.

According to a source at Raj Bhavan, Governor C V Ananda Bose used his authority under Article 166(3) of the Constitution to remove Mallick from his position as minister effective immediately.

In relation to the fraud, Mallick was detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in October of last year under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.