A drama unfolded at the monthly board meeting of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) here on Friday when Dilip Barman, a member, mayor-in-council (MMIC) and the Trinamool Congress councillor, alleged administrative negligence and lack of transparency in the functioning of the TMC-run board.

Since 2022, Trinamool has been in power at the SMC, the largest urban local body in north Bengal.

Barman, who represents Ward 46, is the MMIC in charge of departments like sports, trade licence and housing for all. He questioned mayor Gautam Deb on multiple issues related to his municipal ward.

While speaking at the meeting, Barman expressed dissatisfaction over his inability to access key information concerning his ward. He pointed to the existence of several godowns in his area and stated that he was denied access to obtain details about the operation of such storage facilities and whether they were running with proper
trade licences.

“If I am told that I cannot even inspect the godowns or inquire about the legality of such spaces, then what is the purpose of holding this position (of MMIC)?” he asked during the meeting.

The TMC councillor also raised concerns about the ongoing renovation of the Kanchanjunga Stadium taken up by the SMC and claimed that he had not been kept in the loop about the progress or status of the project.

“Even on matters which are directly related to the departments I hold, I am not informed. What is the point of my post then?” asked the MMIC, while addressing the mayor.

Most TMC councillors looked disgruntled when Barman questioned Deb.

The mayor replied that the trade licence system had been made online.

“The renovation and maintenance of the stadium have been entrusted to us by the state sports and youth affairs department, while the state public works department has been assigned the responsibility of executing the project. The SMC has formed a committee to oversee the work, and an administrative approval has already been granted,” said the mayor.

Barman, however, didn’t stop here. He said a cattle shed had come up in his ward and alleged that although he had sought the intervention of the civic authorities, nothing had been done so far.

Shikta Dey Basu Ray, the MMIC, environment, stepped in and assured that necessary arrangements would be made within seven days.

Ranjan Shil Sharma, a senior TMC councillor, was critical of Barman for raising the issues.

“The mayor appoints the MMICs. If he had any issue, he should have taken it up with the mayor instead of raising those at the board meeting,” he said.

The MMIC, however, sounded unperturbed. “I raised the issues to clear my doubts over the functioning of the SMC. The mayor has assured me that he will discuss with me,” said Barman.

After the board meeting, the mayor spoke to the media and claimed that he had tried to address all of Barman’s concerns during the meeting.

“I have visited ward 46 at least 34 times. I know the issues there. In the ward, different infrastructure projects worth ₹16.54 crore have been taken up by SMC, and other agencies and departments,” said Deb.