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Key Points

West Bengal's Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has escalated allegations of corruption in the state's tourism department by urging Governor C.V. Ananda Bose to investigate e-tendering irregularities. A whistleblower, Shubhabrata Pramanick, has claimed that the tender process was manipulated to benefit select agencies, compromising transparency. Adhikari challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to allow a CBI probe, suggesting deep-rooted corruption within her administration. The state government has not yet responded to these serious allegations.

Key Points: Suvendu Adhikari Exposes Bengal Tourism Dept Tender Scandal

  • Whistleblower alleges e-tender process manipulation in tourism department
  • Adhikari names four agencies involved in irregular tenders
  • Demands CBI investigation into alleged corruption
  • Claims honest officers are being threatened and silenced
2 min read

Bengal LoP urges Guv to probe alleged irregularities in Tourism Dept e-tenders

Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari urges Governor probe into alleged e-tender manipulation in West Bengal Tourism Department

"The people of Bengal deserve transparency and accountability - Suvendu Adhikari"

Kolkata, June 5

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has urged Governor C.V. Ananda Bose to initiate a probe into alleged irregularities in the e-tendering process of the state tourism directorate, following revelations made by a whistle-blower from within the department.

Adhikari cited an email sent by Shubhabrata Pramanick, a project officer attached to the tourism directorate, to select media houses.

In the email, Pramanick alleged that the e-tender process had been manipulated to favour a few select agencies, thereby compromising transparency and fairness.

In a statement, Adhikari named four agencies and two individuals who, according to the whistleblower, have allegedly benefited from the rigged tenders for high-profile events such as the Red Road Carnival and the Kolkata Book Fair.

He also claimed that honest officers were being threatened and coerced into facilitating the irregularities and keeping silent.

"The people of Bengal deserve transparency and accountability -- not a government that thrives on corruption and intimidation," Adhikari said.

He also challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to allow a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter.

"If the Chief Minister truly believes in clean governance, she must prove it by ordering a CBI probe. Her silence or inaction will only strengthen the public's suspicion that corruption runs deep within her administration,” he added.

So far, there has been no official response from the state government or the Trinamool Congress on the allegations.

Meanwhile, in the email accessed by IANS, Pramanick has claimed he possesses documentary evidence to support his charges and will make it public at an appropriate time.

He also alleged that he had been threatened with harassment for not complying with instructions to facilitate the manipulated tendering process.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Pritam S.
If these allegations are true, it's shameful! Tourism is Bengal's pride - Durga Puja, Book Fair, Carnival attract global attention. Corruption here hurts our image. Governor should order immediate probe. Hope truth comes out soon 🙏
A
Arjun M.
Why always political blame games? If there's evidence, submit it properly to authorities instead of media trials. Both ruling party and opposition should cooperate in investigation rather than scoring points.
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Sneha R.
As someone working in event management, I've seen how tenders get manipulated across states. E-tendering was supposed to bring transparency, but corrupt officers find loopholes. Need stronger IT systems with public audit trails!
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Rajiv K.
The whistleblower is very brave! In our system, honest officers face so much pressure. Hope he gets protection. If evidence exists, CBI probe makes sense - but center-state politics might complicate things. Complex situation.
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Moushumi D.
Why only target Bengal? Such corruption happens everywhere! Remember the center's own Rafale or electoral bonds controversies? Clean governance should be nationwide priority, not just political weapon against opponents.
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Amit G.
These cultural events are Bengal's soft power. If funds are being misused, it's betrayal of public trust. Government should clarify immediately instead of staying silent. Transparency will only strengthen Didi's credibility if she has nothing to hide.

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