Bengal Govt Launches White Paper Probe into Alleged 15 Years of Financial Mismanagement

The West Bengal government has initiated the process of preparing a White Paper detailing alleged corruption, financial mismanagement and misuse of public funds during the previous 15-year Trinamool Congress (TMC) government , marking one of the state's most significant accountability exercises since the change in government.

A high-powered Group of Ministers (GoM) , chaired by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta , held its first meeting at Nabanna on Thursday to finalise the framework for the report. According to official sources, the White Paper will examine allegations of diversion, misappropriation, underutilisation and wastage of public funds , particularly those received under centrally sponsored schemes .

All government departments have been directed to scrutinise financial records, audit observations and administrative documents and submit relevant data for inclusion in the report. A preliminary report will first be sent to the Chief Minister's Office before the White Paper is finalised and released publicly.

The exercise follows the state government's announcement during the recent Budget session that it would publish a detailed account of the previous administration's financial management. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said the document will present department-wise findings backed by official records , while the Finance Minister has described it as an exercise in transparency and accountability .

Beyond tracing the utilisation of public funds, the White Paper is also expected to review administrative decisions and governance practices across departments to determine whether financial irregularities or systemic lapses occurred.

The move comes against the backdrop of long-standing allegations by the BJP , which, while in opposition, had accused the former TMC government of large-scale corruption in the implementation of welfare and infrastructure schemes. The proposed White Paper is expected to serve as the present government's official account of those allegations after scrutiny of departmental records.

While the report itself will not determine criminal liability, its findings could shape future administrative action, investigations and policy reforms aimed at strengthening financial oversight and public accountability in the state.