BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 4th June 2025: CPI(ML) state Secretary Partha Karmakar today called for an investigation at the district and block levels regarding the financial accounts of development activities undertaken by Khilpara Gram Panchayat in the financial year 2024-25, as well as the proposed projects for 2025-26.
The Khilpara Gram Panchayat authorities, under Matabari Block, recently published a booklet detailing the financial accounts for the past year along with plans for the upcoming year. This marks the first time in seven years that a panchayat in the region has formally disclosed its financial records to the public. “I congratulate them for taking this constitutional responsibility seriously. Additionally, this panchayat is led by women, which is commendable,” Karmakar stated.
However, concerns have been raised regarding discrepancies in fund utilization. According to Karmakar, under the MGNREGA project only Rs 27 lakh worth of work was completed during the 2024-25 fiscal year with 967 job cards, averaging just 12 days of employment per year. “Some workers haven’t received wages, and the expenditure for road repairs Rs 1.7 lakh lacks clarity,” he alleged.
Additionally, the booklet reveals that Khilpara Panchayat received nearly ₹49 lakh from the PDF and the 15th Finance Commission, yet around Rs 29-30 lakh remains unspent. “How can development take place when such a significant portion of funds remains unused?” Karmakar questioned. While the booklet lists infrastructure initiatives, such as bricklaying, installation of solar streetlights, and repairs to drinking water lines, he pointed out the absence of long-term investments in agriculture, employment generation, and environmental protection.
Public health remains a stated priority, yet Karmakar highlighted the lack of efforts to address water pollution in local resources such as Jora Dighi. “The responsibility does not lie solely with the Gram Panchayat. The state government, along with the Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad, must be held accountable,” he asserted, arguing that such shortcomings undermine the principles of decentralized governance.
