State Govt to Fill 11,000 Vacancies in Panchayat Department: Dilip Ghosh

Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, June 13, 2026, Siliguri : West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh on Friday announced that the state government will recruit around 11,000 workers to address staff shortages across various levels of the Panchayat department.

Speaking to the media after an administrative review meeting at Mainak Tourist Lodge in Siliguri, the minister said that the government remains committed to rural development despite challenges arising from manpower shortages and the absence of some elected representatives.

The meeting was attended by officials from the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Kalimpong and Alipurduar.

Discussions focused on several key issues, including recruitment, housing under government schemes, toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission, road development projects and overall rural infrastructure development.

“There is a significant shortage of employees in various Panchayat bodies. In some blocks, there are not even engineers available, while in other areas elected Panchayat heads and representatives have absconded. Working under such circumstances is extremely challenging. Therefore, around 11,000 vacancies in the Panchayat department will be filled,” Ghosh said.

The minister further stated that the Central Government has already released funds for rural development projects.

According to him, pending dues for the 2023–26 period are being cleared, while funds under the 15th Finance Commission are also expected to be released soon.

He added that following recent discussions in New Delhi, an additional allocation of Rs 1,700 crore has been sanctioned.

Addressing issues related to housing in tea garden areas, Ghosh said many residents face difficulties in availing housing benefits due to the absence of land ownership documents.

In some cases, houses have permanent walls but tin roofs, creating complications under existing housing scheme guidelines.

“We will discuss how these beneficiaries can be included under Awas Yojana. If required, modifications to the rules will be considered after discussions at the central level,” he said.

The minister also reviewed the Panchayat administration in the hills and the functioning of the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad.

He remarked that there were infrastructural shortcomings and that several development works were needed both in the hills and within the Mahakuma Parishad areas.

Ghosh announced that a fresh scrutiny will take place on Job Card holders across the state.

He alleged that 25 to 30 lakh beneficiaries currently holding job cards are not genuine residents and would be removed from the list.

“Names of ineligible beneficiaries will be deleted, while genuine job card holders will be included in the database,” the minister said.