Kolkata, 22 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced in the Assembly that all constitutional and statutory bodies in the state will become fully functional from August 1, saying they will be allowed to discharge their responsibilities independently in accordance with their constitutional mandate.

Addressing the House, the Chief Minister alleged that several key institutions had remained largely inactive under the previous government led by Mamata Banerjee, affecting constitutional accountability and governance.

Adhikari said bodies including the State Human Rights Commission, State Women's Commission, Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Scheduled Castes Commission, Scheduled Tribes Commission, Other Backward Classes Commission, Minority Commission and the State Information Commission would begin functioning regularly from August 1 with their full statutory and constitutional powers.

The Chief Minister said these institutions would independently examine matters falling within their jurisdiction and take action as provided under the law.

Referring to former judge Ashok Ganguly, Adhikari said he had earlier been appointed Chairperson of the State Human Rights Commission and alleged that he faced attacks after attempting to make the commission function more actively. He asserted that the present government would not tolerate any interference with the functioning of constitutional bodies and would ensure that they operate independently and impartially.

Adhikari said the government's objective was to strengthen constitutional institutions, improve transparency and ensure effective protection of citizens' rights through an accountable institutional framework. He added that all commissions and statutory bodies would exercise their powers in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh