Govt working to ensure normal functioning of local bodies: CM Suvendu

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said his government was focusing on restoring the normal functioning of panchayats and civic bodies.Addressing the press after chairing an administrative review meeting at Srijani Hall in Durgapur in Paschim Bardhaman district, Adhikari said civic bodies becoming non-functional in many towns and cities of the state have caused inconvenience to people.Panchayats and municipalities are closed, and common people are facing lots of problems due to that.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said his government was focusing on restoring the normal functioning of panchayats and civic bodies.

Addressing the press after chairing an administrative review meeting at Srijani Hall in Durgapur in Paschim Bardhaman district, Adhikari said civic bodies becoming non-functional in many towns and cities of the state have caused inconvenience to people.

''Panchayats and municipalities are closed, and common people are facing lots of problems due to that. Nobody or any party has any right to stall the operations of panchayats and municipalities,'' he said.

Adhikari's comments came amid reports that elected TMC representatives of many local bodies have stopped going to work after the BJP stormed to power in the state on May 4.

The chief minister said block development officers (BDOs) have been instructed to ensure the uninterrupted implementation of welfare schemes and continuation of administrative work at the grassroots level.

''The BDO is the executive officer of a panchayat samity. He will ensure all schemes are implemented. We have adopted all central government schemes and benefits of Ayushman Bharat, Vishwakarma Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana must reach people,'' he said.

Adhikari said monsoon preparedness and curbing corruption in public offices were among the priorities of his government.

''The fourth point discussed in today's meeting is preparation for the monsoon season. The fifth is ensuring the 'cut-money' (extortion) culture is completely stopped, and government revenue leakages are plugged,'' he said.

He also claimed illegal sand mining in Paschim Bardhaman and Purba Bardhaman districts had led to major revenue losses, and such mines were closed after the BJP came to power.

''In Paschim Bardhaman and Purba Bardhaman, illegal sand mining has caused a dangerous leakage of revenue. We have asked to fix the sand rate. But, people are taking advantage of the closure of the mines and doubled the rate of sand. By this, they are trying to harm the image of the BJP government,'' he said.

Adhikari said he would work to deliver the benefits of a ''double-engine government'' to the people.

''Asansol, Chittaranjan, Andal and Durgapur were neglected by the earlier government. Give us two to three months,'' he said.

The chief minister said industrial revival and creation of alternative employment opportunities in the Durgapur-Asansol belt were among his administration's priorities.

''We will hold discussions with Steel Authority of India Limited and other central organisations to bring major industrial changes here. Creating alternative job opportunities is also part of our plans,'' he said.

Drawing a comparison with the previous government, Adhikari claimed his administration was reducing unnecessary expenditure on official events.

''Today, the CM was here with five ministers and senior bureaucrats. Were the roads closed? Earlier, such meetings involved expenses of Rs 2-4 crore. We are taking steps to reduce unnecessary spending,'' he said.

He further alleged that under the previous government, large-scale deployment of officers and police personnel during official programmes resulted in wasteful expenditure.

On flood preparedness, Adhikari said discussions had already been held with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) chairman Suresh Kumar regarding vulnerable areas ahead of the monsoon.

''We have divided flood-prone regions into five zones -- Lower Damodar, Malda, Kandi, Ghatal and north Bengal. We may not be able to provide a complete solution immediately, but I assure people the government will not remain indifferent,'' he said.

Taking an apparent swipe at the previous TMC regime, Adhikari said, ''People in the Hills will suffer because floods and the CM will enjoy Durga Puja carnival -- that will not happen.''.

District magistrates, police commissioners, and superintendents of police of Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman, Bankura, Birbhum and Purulia districts were among those present in the meeting.

Prior to visiting Durgapur, Adhikari chaired a similar review meeting in Howrah district.