In a major administrative restructuring aimed at eliminating local corruption and preventing operational bottlenecks, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Saturday passed the West Bengal Panchayat (Amendment) Bill. The legislation curtails the direct financial signing authority of Gram Panchayat Pradhans (village heads), shifting signature and execution responsibilities to local administrative secretaries and district officials.

The bill was put to a formal vote following a division call requested by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. It passed with an overwhelming majority in the House, securing 169 votes in favor and 13 against, while 32 lawmakers abstained from voting.

Key Administrative Overhaul Under the provisions of the amended legislation:

Pradhans’ Role: Gram Panchayat Pradhans retain the authority to review and approve proposals and issue administrative permissions.

Execution & Signing Power: Official signing authority for financial disbursements, tenders, and administrative execution is reassigned to the Panchayat Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Block Development Officer (BDO), Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), or District Magistrate (DM).

Curbing Corruption and Unblocking Public Services

Defending the bill during the Assembly debate, State Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh explained that development initiatives across several panchayats had come to a standstill because many village heads were absent or unresponsive following recent political shifts in the state.

Minister Ghosh emphasized that the primary objective of the amendment is to eliminate the illegal “cut-money” (commission/kickback) practice, where public welfare projects and development funds were allegedly held hostage by local representatives demanding bribes.

“Public development cannot remain frozen due to a single individual,” Ghosh stated in the House. “In West Bengal, Pradhans held unique signing powers not seen in most other states, which unfortunately led to extortion. By authorizing Panchayat Secretaries and administrative officers to sign official documents, we are taking away the ability to demand kickbacks while keeping the approval process intact.”

Protecting Welfare Benefits and Rural Schemes

Addressing opposition criticism, the Panchayat Minister clarified that the state government is not dissolving local governance bodies or amending constitutional structures, but rather implementing a temporary operational mechanism to ensure uninterrupted public service delivery.

He further noted that upcoming central funds for welfare initiatives, including the 100-day rural employment guarantee scheme, need to reach beneficiaries directly without administrative delays or illegal deductions.

“We were urged by many to dissolve unresponsive panchayats, but the government’s duty is to construct and facilitate governance, not dismantle it,” Ghosh added. “This amendment guarantees that poor citizens receive their rightful benefits without being forced to pay commissions.”

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