Why are administrative and financial powers of elected panchayat pradhans being curtailed in W.B.? | Explained

In the final week of July 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal stripped elected panchayat leaders of their administrative and financial authority. On the 23rd, a government notification revealed that gram panchayat presidents and municipal chairpersons would cease being registrars for birth and death records.

Instead, government officials will assume registration duties across every gram panchayat and municipality to improve birth and death certificate documentation and administrative procedures. The Chief Secretary, Manoj Agarwal, addressed the public on the same day, revealing irregularities in birth certificate issuance during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The SIR had disqualified approximately 12% of West Bengal's voters. The BJP government's justification for the move was to promote transparency in public services and combat corruption in birth and death certificate issuance. The recently enacted West Bengal Panchayat (Second Amendment), 2026 Bill, which took effect on July 25, 2026, eliminates financial powers from elected panchayat officials.

Section 6 of the legislation transfers cheque-signing and financial disbursement rights from elected gram pradhans to panchayat secretaries, executive assistants, and block development officers. The bill's purpose is to ensure panchayat bodies function smoothly and efficiently to deliver public services within deadlines. Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh clarified that the amendment does not infringe on the constitutional authority of elected panchayat heads.

Instead, it aims to curb corruption and inefficiency among rural civic services. The minister alleged that some pradhans refuse to sign work-related documents due to alleged "cut-money" (kickbacks). The move is intended to address these irregularities. West Bengal was among the first states to implement a three-tier panchayat system, predating the 1993 constitutional recognition.

Although hailed as a decentralized model, control over local panchayats and resources has led to corruption and violence during panchayat elections. The last election in 2023 saw widespread violence, claiming over 50 lives. The BJP's victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections has significantly weakened the opposition, with many legislators joining the Citizens Party of India (NCPI) or leaving the Trinamool Congress entirely.

The remaining elected representatives, predominantly from the Trinamool Congress, have largely relinquished their duties, fearing backlash and potential corruption charges. The next panchayat election is scheduled for 2028.