As an administrative decision aimed at strengthening financial oversight, the West Bengal government has initiated a comprehensive audit of all departments to scrutinise financial transactions and project-based expenditures. The directive was issued by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari during a high-level meeting with departmental secretaries at Nabanna. According to administrative sources, the audit will encompass both current financial activities and expenditures incurred during the tenure of the previous government led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Chief Minister reportedly made it clear that no department would be exempt from scrutiny.
The proposed audit aims to conduct a detailed review of how public funds have been allocated and utilised across various government projects. Officials will examine whether expenditures aligned with sanctioned purposes, assess the scale of spending in specific sectors, and verify the availability of proper documentation supporting these transactions.
Sources indicate that the Chief Minister emphasised the need for strict financial discipline and transparency at every administrative level. He also underscored that the audit process would not be limited to past records but would extend to ongoing projects under the current administration, ensuring continued accountability.
The review is expected to cover administrative decisions, fund allocation processes, and implementation records of projects. Particular attention will be given to whether departments maintained proper accounts and adhered to established financial regulations while executing projects.
During the meeting, Adhikari reiterated that transparency in governance would remain non-negotiable. He instructed officials to intensify audit mechanisms to ensure compliance with rules in every instance of public fund utilisation.
Administrative insiders suggest that the audit exercise will provide a comprehensive picture of financial management across departments. It is also expected to serve as a tool to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of government spending, potentially identifying gaps in implementation and record-keeping.
In a parallel development, a separate meeting on the audit framework was convened at Milan Mela, which was also attended by the Chief Minister. The dual meetings signal the government’s intent to institutionalise a robust audit system and reinforce accountability across the administrative machinery.
The audit initiative is being viewed as a key step toward enhancing transparency, ensuring responsible use of public funds, and reinforcing trust in governance.
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