Parties unhappy with Malda ZP’s performance

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 23 JUNE: Not only the common people or Opposition parties but a section of Congress workers too are unhappy with the role and performance of the Congress-led Malda Zilla Parishad and English Bazaar Municipality.

Though a section of leaders close to the South Malda MP tried to draw his attention to the issue, another strong group branded these leaders as "conspirators". The South Malda MP, Mr AH Khan Choudhury, is also the district Congress president.

Finally, a weaker section of the leaders in the Congress District Committee was held liable for conspiracy against the Congress leaders, giving rise to a factional feud. Shocked leaders finally took the help of a senior journalist and requested him to point out the ‘poor’ performance of the English Bazaar Municipality and Malda zilla parishad in a press conference called by the South Malda MP last Sunday. During the press conference, a section of journalists categorically exposed the present ‘poor’ performance of the Congress-led civic bodies, including the Malda zilla parishad.

“Is the Malda zilla parishad functioning here? Nobody knows the details of its performance. The sabhadhipati, chief of the district, has not contacted the Press regarding the zilla parishad's ongoing work. Other office bearers have not displayed their performance in their respective fields," one journalist said.

Initially, the Malda MP was taken aback. He finally said: “You are correct... I must look into the matter.”

Since then, the powerful group has shown signs of embarrassment, particularly the members of the monitoring committee who were responsible for evaluating the performance of the Malda zilla parishad.

It may be noted that the district Congress president Mr AH Khan Choudhury had formed a monitoring committee to guide the sabhadhipati, Mrs Sabina Yeasmin, and evaluate the performance of the civic body. One of the members of the monitoring committee was Mr Narendranath Tiwari, who is also the chairman of the English Bazaar Municipality.

“Malda zilla parishad is performing well. Within a year, the board had faced problems concerning executing many works, due to the Model Code of Conduct imposed for two Assemblies by-polls in Malda and for the general election,” said Mr Narendranath Tiwari.

The English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury has regularly pointed out the poor performance of the English Bazaar Municipality.

The Congress leaders in Malda zilla parishad have failed to overcome the objections raised by government officials concerning various schemes where norms have been violated. A group of strict government officials of the Malda zilla parishad, including the additional executive officer Mr Kajal Banerjee, are monitoring all things strictly, even the tendering process. The Malda zilla parishad does not have a district engineer. The post has been lying vacant for many years and a retired man is occupying the post on a contractual basis and has failed to perform under the scanner of the executive officials.