Ex-WB CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya rejects Padma Bhushan

New Delhi: Former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has rejected the prestigious Padma Bhushan award conferred to him by President Ram Nath Kovind.

"I don't know anything about Padma Bhuhsan award, none has said anything about it. If I have been given Padma Bhushan I refuse to accept it," Buddhadeb Bhattacharya commented, according to CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday published the list of Padma awardees. The awards are conferred in three categories, namely, the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service.

'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.

The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions, which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, usually around March/ April every year.

This year, the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards. The list comprises four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards. 34 of the awardees are women. (UNI)