Elected representatives in West Bengal panchayat, civic bodies barred from issuing birth, death certificates
The West Bengal government has stripped elected panchayat and municipal representatives of the power to issue birth and death certificates following widespread reports of fraud. Police have launched state-wide raids on local body offices to investigate the irregularities.
Why it matters
The removal of administrative powers from elected local officials marks a significant shift in governance and highlights the severity of document fraud in the state.
Citing widespread irregularities in the issuing of birth and death certificates in West Bengal during the previous regime, State Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal on Thursday (July 23, 2026) said that elected representatives in panchayats and municipalities will no longer be allowed to issue these documents.
On the same day, police raids were carried out at multiple local body offices across the State, including in Kolkata, as part of a probe into such irregularities. Most of the civic bodies in the State are still administered by Trinamool Congress representatives.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in