Kolkata, 21 May (H.S.): In a major move aimed at ensuring transparency and curbing corruption in government projects, the West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has made compliance with Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines mandatory across all state government departments.
The decision was announced through a notification issued by the state Finance Department earlier this week.
According to the notification, all departments, government bodies and state-run institutions will now be required to follow CVC guidelines while purchasing goods, hiring services and awarding contracts for various projects.
Until now, government procurement in the state was largely governed by West Bengal’s own financial rules. However, officials said allegations of corruption, commission-taking and irregularities in tender processes during the previous government prompted the BJP-led administration to introduce stricter oversight measures.
Sources in Nabanna said the new government decided to implement the move after repeated allegations of irregularities in project execution and tender allocation under the previous regime.
Officials believe that mandatory implementation of CVC norms will improve transparency in public procurement and reduce allegations of favouritism and commission-based dealings.
The notification, signed by Finance Secretary Prabhat Mishra, clearly states that all departments must follow CVC guidelines in addition to the existing financial regulations. Departments have also been instructed to implement the new rules immediately.
A senior Finance Department official said the Chief Minister wanted strict measures from the very beginning to shut down all possible avenues of corruption, which is why the decision was taken within just 15 days of assuming office.
Administrative officials believe the move will strengthen monitoring of government tenders and procurement processes and help prevent future allegations of corruption in public projects.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
