- By Raju Kumar
- Fri, 15 May 2026 10:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
West Bengal News: The Suvendu Ahikari government took major decisions to deal with the fake caste certificates issue and the "broker raj" at state-run hospitals on Friday. The government decided to re-examine all caste certificates issued in the state after 2011. The move reportedly comes amid allegations of widespread irregularities.
A senior bureaucrat said on Friday that the state's Backward Classes Welfare Department has sent a letter to all district magistrates, instructing them to immediately begin the re-verification process.
It is alleged that corruption and irregularities in the issuance of caste certificates were repeatedly reported during the previous government's tenure. These certificates included documents for SC, ST, and OBC categories.
The State Tribal Development and Backward Classes Welfare Minister, Kshudiram Tudu, said that a large number of fake and irregular caste certificates were issued during that period. He alleged that many people also received government benefits based on these certificates.
Crackdown On 'Broker Raj' At Govt Hospitals
Expressing concern over complaints of "broker raj" at state-run hospitals, Adhikari asked officers to take strict action. At a meeting attended by Health Department officials, principals and superintendents of major state-run hospitals, along with senior doctors having administrative responsibilities, Adhikari also issued directives aimed at curbing irregular patient referrals.
He directed hospitals to enhance capacity and improve transparency in the admission process. All state-run hospitals have been asked to install display boards showing the total number of beds available and those currently occupied, an official said.
"The chief minister made it clear that there will be zero tolerance towards any form of middleman activity in hospitals. Transparency and accountability in patient care are now the top priority," the senior Health Department official present in the meeting, held at SSKM Hospital, said.
Identity cards have been made mandatory for all doctors, nurses and hospital staff across government medical establishments, he said.
The CM, who holds the Health portfolio, also emphasised strengthening security arrangements for medical students in government medical colleges and directed authorities to prevent unauthorised entry of outsiders into campuses.
(With Jagran/PTI Inputs)