Will sit for ‘test’, accept failure if score below 9/10: Adhikari on corruption

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has stated that he is willing to undergo a "test" to demonstrate his government's commitment to zero corruption and progress in the state, according to a report on Monday. Adhikari, who was in Purulia district for a government event, warned government employees and political parties that the people had given his administration their trust and he would fulfill their expectations.

He vowed that if his government does not achieve a score of 9 out of 10 in this "test", he will apologize to the public.

Adhikari accused government officials of corruption, citing examples like a sub-assistant engineer caught taking ₹2 lakh from a contractor and two motor vehicle inspectors demanding ₹16,000 from a vehicle. He also mentioned that two Trinamool Congress leaders and workers were recently charged with taking commissions from recipients of social welfare schemes. Adhikari urged citizens not to give any money to anyone.

The chief minister's visit to Purulia, one of the state's most impoverished districts, was marked by the laying of the foundation stone of a ₹4,000 crore private steel plant and the inauguration of a ₹1,300 crore potable water project. Adhikari promised to invest more in the region compared to the previous government's spending of just ₹6 crore.

He highlighted plans for the development of tribal belts in Birbhum, Bankura, and Purulia districts, including the construction of new ICDS centers, schools, power department initiatives, and sanitary napkin vending machines in girls' schools.