Cooch Behar Visit: Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh is expected in Cooch Behar on September 20 for a rural development review, while CM Suvendu Adhikari may visit between September 22 and 26.
Qalam Times News Network
Cooch Behar | September 17, 2026
COOCH BEHAR VISIT is set to put the district administration on high alert next week, with West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh scheduled to visit Cooch Behar on September 20. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari may also visit the district between September 22 and 26, although his programme has not yet been formally finalised.
The proposed Cooch Behar visit of senior state government officials has already triggered heightened administrative preparations across the district. Minister of State with independent charge of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Malati Rava Roy, has indicated that the Chief Minister’s programme is still under consideration, while the Panchayat and Rural Development Minister’s September 20 visit is expected to go ahead. The current reporting is consistent with a September 16 report on the proposed visit.
Review Meeting to Cover Cooch Behar and Alipurduar
According to administrative sources, a review meeting has been scheduled at Rabindra Bhavan in Cooch Behar town at 10:30 am on September 20. The meeting will focus on the functioning and progress of the Panchayat Department in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts.
Dilip Ghosh is expected to review the performance of the three-tier rural governance structure, including Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishads. Senior officials of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, including the Principal Secretary and other senior administrative officers, are also expected to attend.
The review is likely to examine the implementation of rural development programmes, utilisation of funds and the progress of various projects being carried out through local administrative bodies. Cooch Behar currently has 128 Gram Panchayats, 12 Panchayat Samitis and one Zilla Parishad, according to the district administration.
A senior state administrative official said that the meeting will include a detailed assessment of expenditure and progress under programmes and funding mechanisms linked to rural development.
Among the issues expected to come under review are the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM), VB-G RAM G, and the utilisation of funds received through the State and Central Finance Commissions.
Officials from Gram Panchayats, blocks and district-level bodies have reportedly been instructed to attend the meeting with updated reports on ongoing works, expenditure and implementation status.
The proposed review comes at a time when the state government is focusing on improving the pace of rural development and monitoring the implementation of Panchayat-level projects. Ghosh has recently also spoken about accelerating development work in Panchayats after the Durga Puja period.
Meanwhile, preparations are also under way for a possible visit by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to Cooch Behar later this month.
According to administrative sources, the Chief Minister could visit the district on any day between September 22 and 26. However, officials have made it clear that the programme has not yet been finalised.
Despite the absence of a confirmed itinerary, the district administration is reportedly completing the necessary arrangements in advance so that there is no last-minute difficulty if the Chief Minister’s visit is approved.
A senior state administrative official said that all necessary preparations associated with a Chief Ministerial visit are being kept ready.
The possible visit comes as the state government continues its administrative engagements across North Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari recently held administrative discussions in the region, including meetings concerning development-related issues in North Bengal.
For Cooch Behar, the proposed visits of the Panchayat Minister and potentially the Chief Minister are therefore expected to bring increased administrative activity to the district over the coming days.
