Kolkata, 20 May (H.S.) : The West Bengal government has announced a comprehensive audit of all three tiers of the panchayat system to investigate alleged corruption and financial irregularities during the tenure of the previous state administration.

Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday said that detailed audits would be conducted at the gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and zilla parishad levels to identify irregularities in development projects and determine those responsible for alleged corruption and conspiracy.

Speaking during a morning walk interaction with reporters, Ghosh said, “Audits will be carried out to uncover corruption at different levels of the panchayat system. All projects undertaken by gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zilla parishads will be examined to determine whether any irregularities took place.”

The move comes days after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the formation of a commission to investigate corruption during the previous regime. According to departmental sources, the latest initiative is aimed primarily at identifying individuals allegedly involved in cut-money collection, extortion and misuse of public funds.

Officials said the audit will examine expenditure under several government schemes implemented over the past one-and-a-half decades, including the 100-day rural employment programme and multiple social welfare and infrastructure projects. Authorities will verify whether allocated funds were properly utilised and whether utilisation certificates were submitted in all cases.

For years, allegations have surfaced that contractors executing development projects were forced to pay cut-money, with accusations extending to elected representatives as well as departmental employees and officials. The audit is expected to focus on identifying such practices and fixing accountability.

Departmental sources further stated that contractors found involved in corruption or financial misconduct could be blacklisted. Particular attention will reportedly be given to rural road schemes and other infrastructure projects, where allegations of irregularities have been most prominent.

The government has also indicated that complaints related to bribery or cut-money in social welfare schemes can be submitted before the proposed anti-corruption commission for investigation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh