Mamata targets corruption, blames section of cops & govt officials
Times of India | 22 November 2024
Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday signalled an all-out attack on corruption, pointing fingers at a section of "lower-level" police and govt officials who wantonly indulged in graft because they "did not love state govt". Anyone involved in corruption — even if it were a politician — would be sent to jail, she said.
Banerjee was speaking at an administrative meeting in Nabanna, where she touched upon a variety of topics, including price-rise and state govt schemes.
"If anyone is involved in corruption, send him to jail. Even if he is a political leader, hold him by the collar. I do not want any excuse," the CM said. "No one can say I ever accepted any money from anyone. If I need money to conduct elections, I will seek alms. So, why would you spare anyone who has taken money? The law must be equal for every individual. There should not be any discrimination."
Banerjee made a distinction between politicians who took bribes and lower-level govt officials and police officers who did so. Politicians who indulged in graft, she said, "think ten times before taking money because they have political liabilities," adding, "If a politician takes Rs 5, it is said they took Rs 500." But the lower-level officials and policemen who took bribes, because they "do not love state govt", spared no such thought because "they only look after their own interests". "There are some brokers who want to ruin society with such actions," she said.
Banerjee made it abundantly clear that corruption would not be tolerated. Some corrupt people, she said, believed they would escape by some deft "management". "But I will not spare anyone. I will get reports from somewhere or the other," she said.
The CM also indicated that she would completely overhaul the CID and ask specialised police units — such as the special task force (STF) and anti-corruption bureau (ACB) — to spare no one and "drag anyone found guilty by the collar".
She also touched on the price-rise of essentials, blaming the corrupt section for "smuggling potato and onion out of the state", even though markets in Bengal were on fire. Calling for a leash on potato consignments going outside the state, she said borders should be sealed, if necessary, to stop the outflow. Directly addressing DGP Rajeev Kumar, she said: "You might be doing your best, but I am sorry to say, many lower-level police officers are taking bribes and helping send more potato across the border than is needed."
The CM said she had allowed potato to be sent from Bengal, "but only after meeting Bengal's needs." "I had no objection to that. But there was an attempt to raise potato prices in Bengal and send them to other states for extra profit. Some are even being exported. I provide you with seeds that I buy at a high price from Centre, I give you insurance, and I provide you incentives to stock potato. In return, you supply to other states by raising prices. Both cannot happen at the same time," she said.
Banerjee said Bengal had record rice and potato production and directed junior minister Becharam Manna to take over the agriculture marketing department, asking him for weekly stock reports. She also directed a quick sealing of borders to stop potato outflow and directed police to be more active. "Cross-check complaints, and if valid, take immediate action," she said.
The CM also had some posers for the state administration. "There are so many stone quarries lying in Jaigaon. Why aren't you issuing tenders? This is the job of the land department, but they are sitting idle. Issue tenders for all the sand and stone areas. I have been calling for shutting down illegal coal mines for a long time now. Even if CISF takes bribes, you have the right to catch them. But what is actually happening? CISF and some police officers allow the pilferage of coal, and the blame falls on Trinamool. I will not tolerate this," she said.