Outgoing SDO Malay Mukhopadhaya (right) shakes hands with his successor Sanjay Das. Picture by Saradindu Chaudhury

Bidhannagar sub-division has a new SDO. Malay Mukhopadhaya, who served as sub-divisional officer from January 2011, stepped down on August 31 and his successor Sanjay Das was sworn in. Das now sits on the first floor of the sub-divisional office in DJ Block behind Unnanyan Bhavan.

Mukhopadhaya will now be working as an officer on special duty in the backward classes and welfare department headed by minister Upen Biswas. Besides councillors, almost the entire civic staff attended his farewell gathering, organised by the municipality on Saturday at the Poura Bhavan auditorium.

Chairperson Krishna Chakraborty spoke of Mukhopadhaya’s ability to handle tough situation with ease. “In times of need he has been there to guide us. Some of the toughest projects have been executed during his tenure,” said Chakraborty.

Mukhopadhaya said that his stint here had enriched him. “I have learnt a lot here. Initially I was posted in Kalimpong but after my request for a transfer, the government sent me here to Salt Lake,” said Mukhopadhaya, who would continue to live in his Srabani Abasan flat.

Das was assistant secretary at the higher education department before this. He spoke about the need for working together to help out residents. “The quality of municipal services can only be improved if there is a collective effort from all sides. I would do my best to help out the residents,” said Das.