Malda, July 30 -- Allegations of financial irregularities have surfaced against the Trinamool Congress-led Karkach Gram Panchayat in Gazole block of Malda district, with the panchayat pradhan and a contractor accused of misappropriating nearly Rs 50 lakh from the 15th Finance Commission fund.
A written complaint was submitted to the district administration on July 8, alleging that during the 2024-25 financial year, the accused siphoned off public money by preparing fake bills for works that were either never executed or only partially completed. The complainants claimed that bills were cleared by allegedly using influence over the panchayat office, resulting in large-scale misuse of government funds.
Pradhan Habibur Rahman denied the allegations, saying: "I was not the pradhan when the board was initially formed. I took charge later. The gram panchayat received only Rs 70-80 lakh annually under the 15th Finance Commission. Allegations of Rs 50 lakh misappropriation are politically motivated. Moreover, this is no longer a Trinamool-run board; it is being run by the BJP."
BJP leader Mantosh Mondal alleged: "Funds meant for maintenance and tube-well repairs were misappropriated by pressurising some government employees. The administration must conduct a fair and impartial investigation."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.