3 weeks ago
Dilip Ghosh Rules Out Panchayat Tax Hike, Focuses on Revenue
There is a man named Dilip Ghosh whose job is to look after villages in a part of India called West Bengal.
He said the government will not make families in village areas pay more tax on their houses for now.
Instead, he said villages should earn money from their own things, like ponds, markets and community halls.
He also wants to fix problems in a program that builds houses for poor families.
Some people got houses even though they were not supposed to, because of unfair politics.
The government checked the list and found nearly 70,000 suspicious names.
About 12,500 of those people had already received money, and around 57,000 names are being taken off the list.
Around 1,000 people have already paid the money back, and others could face legal action.
The minister also promised that villages near the border will get special help to grow and stay safe.
He said border villages are not the last villages of the country, they are the first villages.
West Bengal Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh ruled out any immediate increase in taxes on residential houses in panchayat areas.
Ghosh announced a crackdown on irregularities in the rural housing scheme, with around 1,000 people already returning money received illegally.
Nearly 70,000 names were flagged during beneficiary verification; about 12,500 had received funds and roughly 57,000 names are being removed.
He said gram panchayats must generate revenue from their own assets, such as ponds, markets, community halls and river ghats.
Border villages in Nadia will receive special attention under the Centre's Vibrant Villages Programme for economic development and security.
The minister rejected allegations of political compromise over the BJP's control of the Nadia Zilla Parishad despite having only six elected members.
- Who
- Dilip Ghosh, West Bengal's Panchayat Minister
- What
- Ruled out any immediate tax increase on residential houses in panchayat areas and announced a crackdown on irregularities in the rural housing scheme
- Where
- Rabindra Bhawan, Krishnagar, Nadia district, West Bengal
- When
- Friday, following a review meeting on panchayat schemes; the beneficiary survey is to be completed by 15 August
- Why
- To improve the revenue base of rural local bodies and ensure welfare benefits reach only eligible families
Opposition / Critics
BJP-led Government
Nadia Zilla Parishad leadership
Opposition / Critics
Critics alleged political compromise after the BJP gained control of the Nadia Zilla Parishad despite having only six elected members.
BJP-led Government
Ghosh said support from representatives does not automatically mean they joined the BJP and asserted the party would work with anyone supporting development initiatives.
Tax burden on rural residents
Opposition / Critics
There were concerns over possible tax hikes on residential houses in panchayat areas.
BJP-led Government
Ghosh ruled out any immediate increase and said panchayats must strengthen their own revenue through assets such as ponds, markets and river ghats.
Irregularities in housing beneficiary lists
Opposition / Critics
Ghosh alleged that the Trinamul Congress used political pressure in the past and that political interference gave housing benefits to ineligible people.
BJP-led Government
He said benefits to undeserving people will stop, with around 57,000 names being removed and illegal recipients asked to return money or face legal action.
Key facts
- Minister
- Dilip Ghosh, Bengal Panchayat Minister
- Tax stance
- No immediate increase in taxes on residential houses in panchayat areas
- Names flagged in housing verification
- Nearly 70,000
- Names being removed from list
- Nearly 57,000
- Flagged beneficiaries who received funds
- Around 12,500
- Recovered money
- Around 1,000 people returned funds; others face legal action
- Survey deadline
- 15 August
- Review meeting venue
- Rabindra Bhawan, Krishnagar, Nadia
Quotes
Dilip Ghosh
Bengal Panchayat Minister
“There is no question of increasing tax burdens on ordinary residents. But panchayats must generate revenue from their own assets.”
thestatesman.com
“The recovery process has already started. Notices have been issued and around 1,000 people have returned the money.”
thestatesman.com











