West Bengal Panchayat Amendment Bill Shifts Signing Authority from Pradhans to Officials

MP, July 25, 2026, Kolkata : State Panchayats and Rural Development (P&RD) Minister Dilip Ghosh clarified on Saturday that the West Bengal Panchayat (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026 would not take away the constitutional powers of elected representatives.

"The constitutional rights have not been taken away. We are taking away the signatory right of the Panchayat Pradhan as they would demand 'cut money' against service to people. The secretary will sign the bill. The pradhan will only give permission," Ghosh said.

The West Bengal Assembly on Saturday passed the West Bengal Panchayat (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeking to amend the panchayat act, with the BJP government arguing that the changes would curb the alleged misuse of power by panchayat chiefs and ensure that welfare funds reach beneficiaries without political interference.

The bill was passed by 169 votes to 13, with 32 legislators abstaining from voting.

"BDOs, SDOs and DMs sign documents. What is the problem if the secretary signs instead of the Panchayat Pradhan? The state's Panchayat administration has been left in disarray, with many pradhans 'absconding' and common people facing inconveniences," said Ghosh.

He said the changes were necessary in the backdrop of allegations including irregularities in schemes such as the 100-day rural employment programme and manipulation of tenders.

One of the most significant provisions empowers the prescribed authority to appoint an Extension Officer, or an officer of a higher rank, as Administrator for a maximum period of 30 days if both the pradhan and the deputy pradhan remain absent for more than 15 days and no elected member is willing to discharge the responsibilities.

During this period, the Administrator will exercise all powers and perform all duties of the gram panchayat.

"The system needs to change. Now pradhans who won elections through theft are no longer coming to the panchayats. That is why we want to change the system," said Jagannath Chattopadhyay, State Higher Education Minister, during discussion on the Bill.