CPI(M) Launches Campaign to Expose Corruption in West Bengal Panchayats

The CPI(M) has started a new initiative called ‘Najare Panchayat’ to expose alleged corruption of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in state panchayats ahead of election to the village councils.

Announcing the initiative at a press conference in Kolkata on Friday, CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim said that the campaign intends to fight for justice. According to party sources, complaints will be divided into different categories.

Complaints of corruption in any panchayat can be reported on the helpline 033-41807506 between noon and 9 pm. The identity of the complainant will be protected. “You can make an anonymous call but the name of the person against whom the complaint is made and its nature must be clearly mentioned,” Salim said.

Although the campaign is called Najare Panchayat, other types of complaints, including alleged illegal cash collection by TMC leaders, corruption in municipal bodies and against MLAs and MPs, can also be made on this helpline.

The CPI(M) had earlier started a similar campaign called ‘Paharaya Public’, which, according to party sources, got a good response with people coming forward to lodge complaints.

According to CPI(M) Politburo member Suryakant Mishra, Najare Panchayat is part of the “bigger struggle” in the current political situation. Besides, the CPI(M) is also conducting a party-level survey on panchayats.

Last June, the Left announced the ‘Mission 360 Degree’ programme, under which various public welfare projects, including setting up of public health centres, alternative education centres and various support centres for providing livelihood were launched in every district. To raise awareness among about public health centres and polyclinics, the party provides medical services at affordable rates.