Kolkata Congress Saturday accused the West Bengal government of inaction, and demanded a probe by CBI and SEBI into the money laundering case of Saradha Group, one of the largest chit fund companies in eastern India. It also urged that the government should deal with the situation on war-footing.
“We demand that serious investigation is made by SEBI and CBI so that truth can be unearthed, at the same time we demand that the victims should be properly compensated,” state Congress president, Pradip Bhattacharya said here.
Bhattacharya said that there were close relations between the chit fund group and the Trinamool Congress.
“The state government had very close relations with a few groups and people, and it stopped the government from taking appropriate action at the correct time,” he said.
Bhattachrya claimed, Sachin Pilot in reply to a question in parliament had said that there are many chit funds in West Bengal and asked the state government to take immediate action against them had it acted then, the Bengal would have been saved from this disaster.
“But what we saw, when the states like Tripura and Assam were closing down the offices of these groups in their state then chit fund groups here in Bengal were busy with their business,” he said
“Authorities say that they have sent a letter to the CBI and also included many names there, that letter must have reached the home department of the state, if so they have to come out with the names, and why the letter has been sent that has to be properly inquired.”
He said an investigation on the subject matter of the letter and the intention of the sender is needed.
He also called for a white paper disclosure from the government as it was its basic duty to prove that it was not involved in money laundering case.
“We want to see that the state government refuse any direct or indirect links to it, the government should prove it, the evidences that have come up show that the top Trinamool leaders are directly and indirectly related to it.” said Bhattacharya.
He announced that they will carry out law violation programme on April 23 in all the districts of the state against the law and order situation.
“There are many such chit funds in the state, from whom the ruling party (Trinamool Congress) had accepted donations and helped them grow.” Congress parliamentarian from the state, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.
He also said that the government was very well aware that these groups won’t be able to pay back.
“When there is an economic slowdown in the entire nation how can they generate profit, do they know any magic trick?” said Chowdhury.
Chowdhury also said Sudipto Sen, the Saradha Group CMD, was one of the biggest buyers of Mamata Banerjee paintings, and had purchased one of them for Rs. 1 crore and 86 lakhs.
A few days ago, the Banerjee government in the state ordered the arrest of the group's chairman and managing director Sudipta Sen for defaulting on repayments.
“He (Sudipto Sen) has not eaten up all the money; the ruling party is also involved.” he alleged.
Mamata Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, Thursday said steps were being taken to arrest Sen.
Crisis in the group was brewing since January, which forced it to recently wind up at least 10 media organisations - newspapers and television channels - that it had launched or acquired since 2010. Over 1,000 journalists and non-journalists have been rendered jobless.
The agents of the company protested in front of Trinamool Congress head office today, as the customers were looking for them. Many have been forced to leave their homes to be safe from the wrath of the customers.
Many offices of the group were attacked across the state. There have been incidents of clashes between the agents and customers.
National Highway 34 was also blocked by the protesters.
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