Overview
- Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shankar Ghosh announced on Wednesday that the Urban Development department is reviewing widespread alleged building violations in Siliguri and has compiled a list of suspected offenders.
- A special committee has been formed to investigate alleged institutional corruption and senior minister Agnimitra Paul is expected to visit Siliguri for on-site reviews and follow-up decisions.
- Ghosh warned that enforcement will target builders, contractors and any officials found complicit, and he urged buyers not to take possession of flats without a mandatory Occupancy Certificate (OC).
- Police action linked to the wider crackdown led to seven arrests after a stone-pelting incident on a Volvo bus, and a public service centre plus state helplines were promoted for citizens to report corruption or file complaints.
- If sustained, the probe could recover lost municipal revenue, trigger regularisation or demolition orders for unauthorised structures, and change how property sales and approvals are checked in Siliguri.