New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- The BJP-led Bengal government has made Bengali mandatory on information boards, hoardings, signboards and notices related to all government projects across the state, aiming to make project-related information more accessible to ordinary citizens. According to an order signed by Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, Bengali must be given priority on all such displays at government project sites.

Nabanna has directed departments to install missing information boards or update existing ones with the required details by November 30.

The government is also planning to introduce QR codes on every information board in the future to improve transparency in project implementation.

The directive follows administrative reports that several Central and state-funded projects across districts have information boards displaying details only in English, making it difficult for residents to understand project costs, the nature of work being undertaken and the source of funding.

The government has already made Bengali mandatory in official notifications and guidelines, with implementation underway across the administration.

Separately, the state government has enhanced the financial powers of various departments to speed up project approvals and implementation. The Finance Department has issued revised guidelines raising the limits for administrative approval and financial sanctions.

Under the new norms, the Public Works Department, Irrigation and Waterways Department, Public Health Engineering Department, Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department, Health and Family Welfare Department, and Panchayats and Rural Development Department can now approve and sanction projects worth up to Rs 6 crore. The earlier ceiling was Rs 3 crore, effectively doubling their financial powers.

The move is aimed at reducing delays caused by the requirement to seek Finance Department clearance for individual projects. By allowing departments to approve projects within the enhanced limits, the government hopes to streamline administrative procedures and expedite execution of development works across Bengal.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.