Kolkata: The state govt has formed a 10-member state-level advisory committee to examine proposals for naming and renaming of roads, streets, avenues, bridges and public places across Bengal, with Swami Pradiptananda or Kartik Maharaj as its chairperson. Its tenure will be determined by the state govt.The committee also includes former governor Tathagata Roy, adviser to CM Subrata Gupta and KMC commissioner Smita Pandey. The directive was issued by chief secretary Manoj Agarwal on Friday. The panel would scrutinise proposals from historical, cultural, social and heritage perspectives before making recommendations to the competent authority.The panel also includes the principal secretary of the home & hill affairs department, secretaries of the information & cultural affairs and public works departments, the secretary of West Bengal Heritage Commission, and Bishnupada Dutta. A representative of the urban development & municipal affairs department, not below the rank of joint secretary, will serve as member-secretary. The panel will examine proposals submitted by govt departments, local bodies, district administrations, and other authorised institutions. The panel will consider restoration of traditional or historical names wherever appropriate and supported by relevant records. The committee can consult local bodies, historians, heritage institutions, among other experts and stakeholders.The order also makes it clear that the panel’s recommendations will not override statutory procedures. In the case of streets under KMC, provisions of KMC Act, 1980, including those relating to its advisory committee on street naming, will have to be considered.
