Probe to Begin into Alleged Corruption in GTA: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari

Kolkata, May 2025 : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced that an investigation will soon be launched into alleged corruption in the functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the autonomous body responsible for civic administration in the hill regions of Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong in North Bengal.

The Chief Minister made the announcement while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an administrative meeting held in Siliguri in Darjeeling district.

The GTA is currently governed by the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), founded by Anit Thapa, who also serves as the Chief Executive of the autonomous body. The BGPM is an ally of the Trinamool Congress, which had been in power in the state prior to the current administration.

Adhikari alleged that during the previous Trinamool Congress government, several complaints of large-scale corruption had surfaced in the functioning of the GTA. He said that since BGPM is an ally of the earlier ruling party, these allegations were not adequately addressed at the time.

“Now a probe into the charges of such corrupt activities in the GTA will start. Recently, the North Bengal Development Minister, Nisith Pramanik, also complained of corruption in the GTA. All these will be investigated,” the Chief Minister said.

He further asserted that the new state government is committed to a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption across all administrative bodies, including the GTA. According to him, accountability and transparency will be the guiding principles of governance moving forward.

Adhikari emphasised that development in North Bengal remains a key priority for his government. He said efforts will be made to implement the promises made in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s pre-election “Sankalp Patra” (election manifesto) within the next one year, particularly focusing on infrastructure, civic amenities, and regional development projects.

The Chief Minister also announced that he will be visiting North Bengal again in July to review ongoing administrative work and development initiatives in the region.

Ahead of his visit, he urged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in North Bengal to compile detailed proposals and development suggestions that they wish to present to the state government. He said these inputs would be collected during his July visit and considered for implementation.

“I will collect those proposals during my next visit to North Bengal in July. The state government will try to address them to the maximum possible extent,” Adhikari added.

Political observers note that the announcement of a probe into the GTA comes amid ongoing political tensions in the region, where administrative control and development initiatives have long been key issues of debate.

The move is expected to further intensify the political atmosphere in North Bengal, especially as competing parties continue to strengthen their influence in the hill districts.