Kolkata: The Bengal govt has launched a sweeping review of the state’s finances, directing all departments to submit detailed accounts of expenditure, revenue, financial transactions and key administrative decisions taken over the past 15 years.The decision was taken at the first meeting of a special committee headed by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta at Nabanna on Thursday. Industries Minister Tapas Roy and Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh also attended.Announced during Dasgupta’s budget speech, the exercise is expected to culminate in a white paper on the state’s finances and alleged irregularities under the previous Trinamool Congress government.Departments have been asked to furnish project-wise expenditure statements, budget allocations, sources of funding and implementation details for scrutiny.According to officials, the committee will examine whether public funds were used for their intended purposes, assess the justification for expenditure under various schemes and investigate allegations of corruption or financial mismanagement.Officials said the exercise would also evaluate whether expenditure under various schemes was justified, verify the sources of funding and assess whether projects were implemented in accordance with approved objectives.The finance dept during the Trinamool regime had failed to submit utilisation of funds for several lakh crore, an official said and added these were mostly grants-in-aid from the Centre.Particular attention is likely to be paid to the school education department, following the 2022 arrest of then education minister Partha Chatterjee in the recruitment scam.The committee has set deadlines for departments to submit records and supporting documents. Its next meeting is scheduled for July 29, when the reports will be reviewed. The findings are expected to form the basis of a comprehensive white paper on the state’s fiscal management during the previous administration.
