Kolkata, July 31 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday alleged that nearly Rs 15,000 crore in government revenue had been siphoned off in Birbhum over the past 15 years, claiming the alleged racket could not have operated without the backing of the previous Trinamool Congress government.
Stepping up his attack on his predecessor, Adhikari said: "Siphoning off revenue through an organised racket for years would not have been possible without the concurrence of the head of the government."
While holding a Press conference, the Chief Minister said: "Such a large racket can't have operated for so long without the support of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Institutional corruption happens only when the head of the institution encourages corruption."
Adhikari alleged that officials across multiple government departments were either complicit in the alleged racket or remained silent under directions from the "highest level".
The allegations come as police recovered Rs 28.5 crore in cash and 15 kg of gold from the residence of absconding stone trader Tullu Mondal in Birbhum as part of a wider crackdown on alleged illegal mining and revenue leakages in the district.
Adhikari also added that there were around Rs 93 crore in the bank accounts of Mondal, which have been seized.
The investigators have traced 21 properties, seven houses, a farmhouse, two petrol pumps, a parking facility, stone mines, crushers and 300 bighas of land, all of which were seized. Additionally, 242 vehicles, including luxury cars, have been identified, Adhikari stated further. Mondal's illegally possessed assets worth nearly Rs 150 crore, including cash, gold and jewellery, have already been seized, he added.
The Chief Minister also claimed that officials were forced to keep their eyes shut as directions had come from the highest level. "If directions do not come from the highest level, no one would take a look at Mondal. Officials were forced to keep their eyes closed. As the then head of the government, the ultimate responsibility lies with the former chief minister," Adhikari stated. He also said that the roles of officers in various government departments would be looked into.
"Some people from the registry office, motor vehicles, land department and police personnel may be involved. If anybody is found guilty, action will be taken," Adhikari stated. Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh stated on the issue: "We also want a fair and proper investigation into the matter. The police are now with the BJP government, so they should investigate thoroughly and make any findings public if evidence emerges. There is no point in making baseless allegations regarding Mamata Banerjee without any proof. At the same time, it must also be ensured that no one escapes accountability simply by switching parties after allegations surface."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.