Kolkata, 05 August (H.S.) : West Bengal Transport Minister Arjun Singh has alleged that long-standing rackets operate across several government departments, including the transport and labour departments, and said dismantling them would require sustained efforts rather than immediate action.

Speaking to reporters in Siliguri on Tuesday, Singh claimed that the alleged networks have existed for nearly five decades and involve government officials and employees.

These rackets cannot be broken in a single day. They have existed for nearly 49 years. It will take time, but we are gradually streamlining the system, the minister said.

As part of the government's reform measures, Singh said employees who had remained posted at the same location for 10 to 15 years have been transferred to improve transparency and accountability.

Highlighting the transport department's recent performance, the minister claimed that revenue collection rose by 10 per cent last month following stricter enforcement against traffic and permit violations. He said authorities have imposed penalties on vehicles operating without valid registrations, permits and other mandatory documents.

According to Singh, one bus owner was fined 36 times for repeated violations. He also alleged that some transport operators residing in West Bengal register their vehicles in neighbouring Jharkhand while operating them within West Bengal to evade regulatory requirements.

Reiterating his allegations of corruption, the minister said such networks had spread across multiple government departments over several decades and could not be dismantled overnight.

Earlier in the day, Singh held a series of meetings in Darjeeling before visiting the Makaibari Tea Estate factory during his return journey. He also inspected a health centre near the closed Panighatta Tea Estate.

Addressing the issue of closed tea gardens, Singh said around 34 tea estates in the hills and plains remain shut. He attributed delays in resolving several cases to proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and assured that the state government would continue taking measures to safeguard the welfare of tea garden workers.

The minister also said Employees' State Insurance (ESI) services are being brought under the Central government's administration, a move he claimed would improve facilities for workers.

On tea tourism, Singh warned that tea garden owners would not receive permission to undertake eco-tourism or tea tourism projects unless they fulfilled their legal obligations towards workers, including payment of wages and other statutory dues. We have fixed clear criteria. Unless workers receive their legitimate entitlements, permission for eco-tourism or tea tourism will not be granted, he said.

Responding to questions on allegations of extortion involving party members, Singh said strict action should be taken if the accusations are established. If it is proven that they are involved in extortion, then they should be expelled from the party immediately, the minister said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh