Public Accounts Committee in Bengal Assembly set to be constituted unanimously
As per Assembly sources, a total of 20 nominations were received, matching the strength of the committee, making a formal election unnecessary.
The West Bengal government is preparing to introduce The West Bengal Panchayat (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the assembly on Soaturday. The bill was published in the Kolkata Gazette on 23 July.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend several provisions of the West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1973, with the stated objective of ensuring administrative stability, uninterrupted public service delivery and smoother functioning of rural local bodies.
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One of the most significant provisions empowers the prescribed authority to appoint an Extension Officer, or an officer of a higher rank, as Administrator for a maximum period of 30 days if both the pradhan and the deputy pradhan remain absent for more than 15 days and no elected member is willing to discharge the responsibilities. During this period, the Administrator will exercise all powers and perform all duties of the gram panchayat.
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The bill also addresses situations where no gram panchayat meeting is held for two consecutive months due to the absence of the pradhan and deputy pradhan. In such cases, the panchayat secretary, with the approval of the Block Development Officer (BDO), will be authorised to convene the meeting.
An Extension Officer and the Executive Assistant will attend the meeting as observers. The proposed amendments also introduce changes to the financial administration of gram panchayats. The Executive Assistant’s signature will become mandatory on payment orders issued from the gram panchayat fund, while cheques will require the joint signatures of the Executive Assistant and the secretary.
The Executive Assistant will also be responsible for submitting the monthly statement of accounts to both the pradhan and the BDO. Another amendment relates to gram sabha meetings. If the pradhan, deputy pradhan and elected representatives are absent, the Administrator will be authorised to nominate the senior-most member present to preside over the meeting.
According to the statement of objects and reasons accompanying the bill, the amendments are intended to ensure uninterrupted delivery of public services, regular meetings of gram panchayats and gram sabhas, and greater efficiency in the rural governance system.
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