In a major step aiming to overhaul the functioning of the state’s three-tier panchayat system, the West Bengal government is set to introduce a Bill that would transfer the power to sign and approve official documents from elected panchayat heads to government officials.
Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh said that the Bill to this effect would be introduced within the next two weeks. He announcing the proposed legislation in the Assembly on Monday during his reply to the discussion on the Panchayat budget.
Under the proposed amendments, panchayat pradhans will cease to be the “signatory authority” for official files and financial documents. Instead, the responsibility will rest with designated government officers, a move the minister said was aimed at ensuring uninterrupted delivery of public services.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of allegations that a large number of panchayat functionaries have remained absent from their offices since the change of government in the state.
Although the Trinamool Congress continues to control most panchayats, the BJP-led state government has repeatedly accused several elected representatives of failing to discharge their administrative responsibilities.
Responding to criticism from Trinamool (Ritabrata faction) MLAs Sabina Yasmin, Samir Jana and Bina Mondal over his earlier remarks warning absentee panchayat heads, Ghosh defended his position.
“I have only said that if you are a panchayat pradhan, you must serve the people. Come to office and perform your duties, or resign. If someone refuses to attend office, we will ensure they come and sign the files with police assistance if necessary. People cannot be deprived of essential services because of political considerations,” he told the House.
Without naming the previous Trinamool government, the minister also referred to allegations of corruption, irregularities and the practice of collecting “cut money” in rural development schemes over the past 15 years. He said those now speaking of administrative ethics had little moral authority to do so.
Ghosh claimed that nearly 2,000 panchayat pradhans had remained continuously absent from their offices, resulting in delays in approvals and implementation of development projects across rural Bengal.
Since panchayats serve as the primary implementing agencies for most rural welfare and infrastructure programmes, the absence of elected heads has affected the movement of files and execution of works, he said.
Highlighting the scale of the department’s responsibilities, the minister informed the Assembly that the Panchayat and Rural Development Department currently administers welfare benefits for more than 2.048 million beneficiaries.
He also raised concerns over staffing within the department, stating that nearly one lakh employees are currently on its rolls, while the government lacks complete records regarding the manner of their recruitment. Despite this, their salaries continue to be paid regularly, he added.
In another major announcement, Mr Ghosh said the government would fill 11,000 vacant posts in the Panchayat Department through the West Bengal Public Service Commission. Recruitment through the commission, he said, would ensure transparency, merit-based selection and minimise the possibility of corruption.
The minister said the proposed legislative changes and recruitment drive were intended to strengthen administrative accountability, improve public service delivery and bring greater transparency to the functioning of the panchayat system.