The West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department has taken a significant step by issuing a show-cause notice to the board of the Trinamool Congress-run Contai Municipality. The notice demands an explanation for why the civic board should not be dissolved, citing allegations of arbitrary tax increases and a severe failure in delivering essential public services.
Mass Petition Triggers Government Action
The action, initiated by the department headed by Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, comes just five months ahead of the state assembly elections. It was prompted by a mass petition submitted by residents of Contai. The petition specifically names municipal chairman Suprakash Giri, accusing him of unilaterally raising holding taxes without any prior public consultation or rational justification.
Seven-Day Deadline and Alleged Lapses
The notice, issued on Tuesday, sets a strict seven-day deadline for the civic body's board to submit its response. The department's communication highlights serious lapses in performing primary duties. Key areas of failure identified include poor road maintenance and irregular supply of drinking water.
Residents have voiced numerous other complaints, pointing to malfunctioning streetlights and clogged drainage systems, which they claim have led to a marked deterioration of the town's overall infrastructure. A senior official from the department stated, "Apart from the service failures, citizens were reportedly insulted and humiliated when they approached the chairman for grievance redressal. This is a direct violation of municipal laws."
Political Reactions and Responses
Reacting to the notice, Tarun Maity, the TMC's Contai organizational district chairman, sought to distance the party from the day-to-day operations. He said, "We are not involved in the day-to-day operations of the municipality. The chairman will respond, and we hope the state will be satisfied with the explanation."
In contrast, the opposition BJP dismissed the state government's move as a "face-saving exercise." Asim Mishra, the BJP's district vice-president, went further by alleging that the current municipal board had secured its mandate through rigged elections.
The situation places the ruling Trinamool Congress in a delicate position in Contai, with the state government now formally questioning the performance of its own party's local administration. The board's response within the week-long deadline will be crucial in determining its future.
