The Bengal government has set up a programme monitoring unit (PMU) to track the progress of priority projects and schemes prompting a clear suggestion that the ruling establishment will heavily depend on its welfare schemes ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.

“Creation of Programme Monitoring Unit for close monitoring of priority schemes/ projects in coordination with different departments, implementing agencies and district administration, for timely execution and evaluation was under active consideration of the government... In view of this, Programme Monitoring Unit (PMU), GoWB is hereby formed by the government," reads a notification issued by the chief secretary, B.P. Gopalika, on July 8.

Sources said the PMU, which would be headed by the panchayat secretary, P. Ulganathan, a 2006-batch IAS officer, would monitor selected priority schemes and projects and track their progress. It would also collect data/input from various departments and districts to analyse and review the progress of various programmes. The PMU will send reports to the top brass of the government.

A section of officials said the creation of PMU was important as the ruling establishment would depend heavily on its pet projects and schemes to counter the BJP in the 2026 polls. The ruling party would hold the BJP responsible for depriving Bengal of rural development funds, but at the same time, would depend on its welfare schemes which have given dividends to the Trinamool Congress in the previous elections.

"This is why the state government is leaving no stone unturned. As several complaints were coming up through the Sorasori Mukhyomantri programme, the government realised that all schemes must be monitored properly. Hence, the new unit was set up," said a senior official.

Another official said the chief minister's grievance cell received complaints from common citizens. The cell then sends the complaints to the departments or the district authorities concerned for proper action.

However, it has been seen that many people don't lodge complaints even if they are deprived of the benefits.

"The chief minister's grievance redress cell helps people get their benefit once they lodge complaints.... But the PMU can help the state streamline the projects so that eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits of the schemes without facing trouble," said a bureaucrat.

He explained how the PMU could be a weapon for the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.

"First, as the PMU would monitor the schemes regularly, it is expected that a lesser number of complaints would come up. Second, if any complaint comes up, the PMU can follow it up so that the problem could be nipped in the bud," the bureaucrat added.

A section of the officials has said appointing Ulganathan, who is the secretary of the panchayat department, at the helm of the unit might create some trouble as department secretaries, many of whom are senior to him, might not like to send reports to him.

A senior bureaucrat, however, said that would not be a problem as the PMU was a substitute for the statistics and programme implementation department where all departments used to send reports on schemes at regular intervals.

"As the statistics and programme implementation department has lost relevance these days, the PMU has been formed to do the work. The senior officers should not hesitate to send reports to the PMU as Ulganathan would not issue any instruction directly to the department secretaries. If any advice is to be given, that would be sent by the chief secretary,” said an official.