The introduction of a biometric attendance system at the Trinamool-run Balurghat municipality has revealed that lakhs were transferred to the bank accounts of 80 employees as salaries even though they did not join work.

Opposition parties have alleged that this was a clear case of theft of government funds and have demanded a comprehensive probe.

Sources said that in November, the new attendance system was launched at the civic body where Trinamool has been in power since 2013.

After winning the civic body, around 650 employees were recruited in different departments.

“The civic body has to spend around ₹50 lakh every month to pay their salaries and wages. However, after the biometric attendance system was launched, it was found that 80 employees had not joined their duties. Their salaries were not paid for November. The civic body could save ₹12 lakh at one go,” said a source in the municipality.

The missing employees led to questions of why the civic body went on disbursing salaries and wages without confirming if each employee joined work or not.

“It is a clear case where government funds have been siphoned off. We suspect that under the pretext of paying salaries and wages to fake employees, those running the civic body have made money. We demand a thorough investigation. The bank accounts of all such employees should be examined,” said Proloy Ghosh, an RSP leader of the district.

Ashok Mitra, the civic chairman, admitted that they could save ₹12 lakh this month. “We have introduced the new attendance system for transparency and found that a section of the employees had not joined their duties. We are checking out every case and will take appropriate steps,” said Mitra.

A senior politician in Balurghat who had served in the civic body in the past underscored the need for an investigation.

“No one can get a salary or wage without performing his duties. If any such person has been paid, some people who are working in the municipality must be involved in this illegal act. Also, civic authorities should find out whether fake accounts of employees had been opened to send government money across,” he said.