The West Bengal Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an investigation into alleged tender irregularities in the Bangla Moder Garbo initiative, a state-run programme conducted during former Information and Cultural Affairs minister Indranil Sen’s tenure. The probe also covers Sen’s family members and close associates, according to the Commission and complaints cited in the report.
K. Jayaraman, Additional Director General of Police of the West Bengal Anti-Corruption Commission, confirmed that the investigation had begun. “An investigation has been launched based on the allegations,” Jayaraman said.
The Bangla Moder Garbo project was intended to showcase Bengal’s folk culture, handicrafts and history across the state’s districts. It included fairs and exhibitions with stalls for local handicrafts and cultural programmes featuring folk artists, including Baul, Bhatiyali and tribal dance performers.
The complaints before the Commission allege that tenders issued in 2022 and 2023 for organising these fairs and exhibitions were repeatedly awarded to a select group of companies. The tenders were issued by officials of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department at the time.
The allegations further claim that contracts worth crores of rupees were awarded to companies allegedly owned or controlled by Sen’s relatives and close associates. The contracts covered the installation of stalls, organisation of cultural programmes and engagement of artists for performances. The complaints state that tenders worth hundreds of crores of rupees were issued for fairs and events held across 23 districts over two consecutive years.
The Commission began a preliminary inquiry after receiving the complaints, according to sources cited in the report. Investigators are examining the alleged relationship between Sen and the owners of the companies that obtained the contracts, as well as the value of individual tenders, expenditure incurred by the companies and profits allegedly generated from the work.
The probe is also examining allegations that the companies collected commissions from local artisans on products sold through stalls at the fairs. If established, such practices would raise questions about how public cultural spending reached participating artisans and whether vendors were able to retain the economic benefit intended by the programme. The allegations have not been established by the Commission.
As part of the investigation, the Commission may question Sen, his family members and close associates. Investigators are expected to examine tender documents, financial records and other evidence before preparing a report and submitting its findings to the state government.
