Accusing a section of the police force of being corrupt and giving a bad name to her government, West Bengal Chief Minister on Thursday said she would completely reshuffle the CID, the Criminal Investigation Department, of the state police.
After chairing a meeting of top officials of her government, the CM said stern action should be taken against those involved in corrupt practices “irrespective of their political colour”.
“Some lower-level officers, who do not like this government, including some police officers, are taking money and allowing theft in sand, coal, cement and stones… Why is the Land Department sitting idle? Why are they quiet? I had already asked them to call for tenders for sand and stone mining. In coal, the CISF is taking money and allowing theft,” the CM said at a press conference at Nabanna.
“If there is a political person involved, catch him by his collar. The law must be applied to all without discrimination. Take action according to the law. I will not allow all this. I will not save anyone involved in corruption,” the CM said.
“I will completely reshuffle the CID, strengthen the STF (Special Task Force) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB),” CM Banerjee said.
The CM also directed Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar to look into the complaints received against officers and take action in case they were genuine. “If there are complaints (against police officers or political persons), verify it. Take strong action,” the CM told Kumar.
Mamata’s outburst comes a day after key police officers in Kolkata and Howrah were transferred, triggering criticisms from the Opposition, especially the BJP.
Also, the CM’s remarks come days after a murder bid on a TMC councillor in Kasba that led to the ruling party questioning the functioning of police.
Emphasising that BSF and RPF are responsible for border security, the CM said the Centre should take steps to stop the smuggling of fake currency and arms into the state.
Directing state police to strengthen vigilance, the CM said: “Naka checking will be done everywhere, including the border areas. We have identified 17 to 18 arms factories in Bihar. Fake currency is being brought into the state from the neighbouring country,” the CM said.
She further expressed her disappointment at the rising prices of potatoes and onion and their export from Bengal to other states.
“Potato is being sent across the state for more profit, while the people of Bengal suffer. This will not be allowed. First, the people of our state should have it. If there is more stock, then it will go outside the state… We are growing onions here, then why is there a crisis? Tout raj is going on,” said the CM.
She asked the task force, set up to control prices of vegetables, to be more active. Meanwhile, the CM said that money for Krishak Bandhu, Lakshmir Bhandar and other schemes will be disbursed from December.
“Rs 2,900 crore will soon be directly transferred to the accounts of over 1.07 crore farmers through the Krishak Bandhu scheme. This is for the 2024-25 Rabi season. Money will be shortly transferred to their accounts,” she said, adding that after the collection of surveys, the first installment of Banglar Bari will be sent to recipients in December.
