Kolkata, 12 June (H.S.): Trinamool Congress MLA Nishith Malik, who represents the Bardhaman Uttar Assembly constituency in East Burdwan district, has been accused of facilitating appointments at Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres in exchange for money. A formal complaint has been submitted to the district administration and state authorities, seeking an investigation into the alleged irregularities.

The complaint was filed by Chandan Chakraborty, a resident of Bolgona village, who alleged that between the financial years 2022 and 2025, seven women were appointed as cooks at various ICDS centres in the constituency through the intervention of the MLA.

According to the complaint, one of the women belongs to Kurmun-II Gram Panchayat, while the remaining six are from Gobindapur Gram Panchayat. Chakraborty alleged that the educational and other certificates submitted by the women were forged and that their appointments had previously been cancelled on the same grounds. Despite this, they were allegedly reinstated.

The complainant further claimed that money was collected through the MLA’s driver and a Trinamool Congress leader from Ausgram-I block in return for securing the appointments. He alleged that one of the women appointed in the Kurmun-II Panchayat area had earlier been caught stealing materials from an Anganwadi centre. According to the complaint, she was allegedly protected at the time by former Bolgona Panchayat chief Basudeb De, who is currently in judicial custody in connection with a separate extortion case. The woman was subsequently reappointed despite the earlier allegations, Chakraborty claimed.

Based on these allegations, the complainant has demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the entire recruitment process by both the district administration and the state government.

MLA Nishith Malik declined to comment on the allegations when contacted. Administrative officials confirmed that the complaint has been received and would be examined in accordance with established procedures.

Authorities have not independently verified the allegations so far, and no official findings have been reported. The claims remain allegations made in the complaint, and the matter is expected to be examined by the concerned authorities.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh