State sets up two inquiry commissions on corruption, crimes against women

PTI, May 19, 2026, Kolkata: Kolkata: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced the formation of two separate inquiry commissions to investigate allegations of institutional corruption and crimes against women, while the state Cabinet approved the ‘Annapurna Bhandar’ scheme and free travel for women in government buses. Both initiatives will come into effect from June 1. The decision was taken at the second Cabinet meeting of the newly formed state government. Adhikari said the two inquiry commissions would begin functioning from June 1.

The commission probing allegations of institutional corruption will be headed by retired Justice Biswajit Basu, with senior IPS officer K Jayaraman, currently ADG (North Bengal), serving as member secretary.

The second commission, constituted to examine allegations of atrocities against women and girl children, will be headed by retired Justice Samapti Chatterjee. IPS officer Damayanti Sen, presently ADG (Armed Police), will act as member secretary.

During the election campaign, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised action on both issues. “Within 10 days of assuming office, our government has constituted the two inquiry commissions in line with those commitments,” Adhikari said.

The Chief Minister alleged that corruption had taken place in the implementation of central and state welfare schemes, public-funded construction projects and delivery of government services. He claimed bribery, “cut money”, misuse of public funds and cheating of ordinary people had become widespread with the involvement of government officials, panchayat representatives, councillors and middlemen. According to him, the commission under Justice Basu was formed specifically to investigate such “institutional corruption”.

Adhikari said the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary would provide logistical and infrastructural support to the anti-corruption commission, including manpower and relevant documents. He expressed hope that the panel would begin submitting recommendations within 30 days of commencing work. “Based on those findings, FIRs would be registered and action initiated under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” he said.

On the women’s safety commission, Adhikari said complaints could be submitted through a dedicated online portal once the panel becomes fully operational. Pending complaints and FIRs would also be collected and reviewed.

He added that recommendations and pending reports from bodies such as the National Human Rights Commission, SC Commission, ST Commission, OBC Commission, Minority Commission and Women and Child Rights Commissions at both state and national levels would be examined during the preliminary stage of the probe.

To facilitate information gathering, the member secretaries of both commissions will visit police stations across districts and record statements directly from complainants and local residents. “People would not need to travel to Kolkata to submit complaints, as the process would be conducted at the police station level across the state,” Adhikari said.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved the ‘Annapurna Bhandar’ scheme and free travel for women in government buses from June 1. During the election campaign, the BJP leadership had promised to double monthly social assistance and allow free travel for women in government buses.

Women and Child Welfare Minister Agnimitra Paul said beneficiaries under the previous government’s ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme would automatically be shifted to Annapurna Bhandar without additional formalities. Under Lakshmir Bhandar, beneficiaries receive Rs 1,500 per month, while SC/ST women get Rs 1,700. Under the new scheme, the assistance amount will increase to Rs 3,000 per month.

Paul said the assistance would be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. She added that her department would analyse the list of people whose names were deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

“Persons who have died or are Bangladeshi or Rohingya will not be entitled to Annapurna Bhandar. Those who have applied before the appellate tribunal or under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will also get Annapurna Bhandar,” she said.

Paul also said a dedicated online portal for fresh applications would be launched soon. On expanding the transport fleet, she said the Chief Minister had indicated that more electric buses would be inducted.