The Darjeeling municipality has made public its statement of accounts in a first-of-its kind move by the 172-year old civic body that is controlled by the nascent Hamro Party.

Bishnu Malla, chairman-in-council, finance department, said the new civic board would provide details of the hill body’s finance to the public in the first week of every month. “This is probably the first time that this civic body is providing such details to the public in its history.”

According to the information made available on Thursday evening by the civic authorities, Darjeeling municipality collected Rs 80, 36, 317 as taxes and under other heads in April. “The civic board incurred an expense of Rs 60,30,000 under various heads like pension and vehicular expenses (in April),” said Malla.

The Darjeeling civic board has so far received Rs 205 crore for a water distribution project and nearly 50 per cent has been spent.

“Under the 15 finance commission grants, we receive an annual amount of Rs 6 crore in two phases. Similarly, we also receive funds to the tune of Rs 1.70 crore per annum for development work under the state finance commission and West Bengal urban employment scheme,” stated Malla.

Documents released by the municipality also suggest that the civic board has liabilities to the tune of Rs 1 crore as provident fund deposit dues from May 2021 to March 2022.

Similarly, there are gratuity arrears of Rs 1 crore and pension dues of Rs 2 crore.

“We will ensure that the public comes to know where we spend funds. We had promised that there would be transparency in our functioning and we are committed to fulfilling our word,” said Malla.

The Hamro Party, which is headed by Ajoy Edwards, won the Darjeeling municipality within three months of its formation and took charge of the board in March.