Former Panchayat Committee Chairperson Aparna Bhattacharya Faces Controversy Over ₹21 Lakh Fuel Bill
Chandipur, East Midnapore: Former Panchayat Committee Chairperson and Trinamool leader Aparna Bhattacharya is embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that the fuel expenses for her government vehicle amounted to ₹21,45,720 over five years. The startling figure has raised many eyebrows.
The issue came to light when Suprobhata Patra, a resident of Chandipur, filed an RTI inquiry requesting details of the fuel expenses for the Panchayat Committee Chairperson's vehicle from 2018 to 2023. In response, the block administration disclosed that the fuel expenses totaled ₹21,45,720, with documentation available in the Panchayat Committee's cash section.
Suprobhata commented, "A Panchayat Committee Chairperson spent ₹21.45 lakhs on vehicle fuel in five years, during the COVID-19 period. This means ₹4.3 lakhs were spent annually from government funds. The district administration should investigate this massive expenditure on vehicle fuel."
In a follow-up letter on July 8, the Joint BDO corrected the initial figure, stating that the actual fuel expenses were ₹20,68,464, with ₹7,27,628 spent on the Chairperson's vehicle and the remaining ₹12 lakhs on other vehicles. This discrepancy led Suprobhata to question whether others were using the vehicle billed under the Chairperson's name.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has previously emphasized the need to curb expenses on vehicle fuel and electricity in administrative meetings. Despite this, the disregard for such directives in government offices is evident.
#EastMidnapore: Chandipur, Former Panchayat Committee Chairperson Aparna Bhattacharya Faces Controversy Over ₹21 Lakh Fuel Bill.@BJP4Bengal @AITCofficial @INCWestBengal pic.twitter.com/eysNSQFRfg
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Suprobhata, who has been associated with the Trinamool Congress since 2008, expressed his disappointment. "It's unfortunate that during her tenure as Chairperson from 2018 to 2023, Aparna Bhattacharya spent such a large amount on fuel. Given that movement was restricted during the lockdown, how could such a significant amount be spent on fuel? I have called for an investigation to determine whether the money was genuinely spent on fuel or misappropriated," he stated.
When approached for her comments, Aparna Bhattacharya defended herself, claiming, "The monthly fuel expense was around ₹14,000 to ₹15,000. During the COVID-19 period, we had to be more active and couldn't just sit idle. The logbook of the vehicle records the fuel expenses, showing a daily usage of 3-4 liters. There seems to be some discrepancy in the figures being presented. Additionally, frequent travel from Haldia to Kolkata for various tasks was necessary."
Trinamool leader Parthasarathi Maity acknowledged that during the COVID-19 period, there were frequent travels, sometimes to transport patients, which could account for the bills. However, he emphasized that only the appropriate department could provide accurate information, and an investigation by the administration is necessary to clarify the matter.
