Kolkata:

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday highlighted several economic indicators to flag the “decline” of West Bengal and the recent unrest in Sandeshkhali, saying it is “sheer audacity” of the state government that the culprit has not been arrested till date. Has been done

Addressing the people at the National Library of West Bengal on Tuesday, the Finance Minister said that West Bengal is at the bottom on many policy, judicial and law and order parameters.

“When I talk about Sandeshkhali and the audacity of the state government in not arresting the culprit till date, my body shudders. Is there any leader, man or woman, who can tolerate this? They did not arrest me. Remember how many people there are.” He raised the issue of Manipur several times and the Union Home Minister had to come and respond.”

Referring to the recent comment of the Trinamool Congress leadership that Sheikh Shahjahan, the main accused in the Sandeshkhali case, will be arrested in seven days, the Finance Minister said, TMC ministers are going to Sandeshkhali but no one else is allowed.

“This makes it clear that you know where he (Sheikh Shahjahan) is. How can you otherwise say that you will arrest him in a week? Your ministers are going there and no one else is allowed. “What kind of legal system is this,” he said.

He said that according to the India Justice Report, West Bengal is at the bottom on several policing, judicial and law and order parameters.

“In January 2024, ED officials were attacked by a mob of 800-1000 people and suffered serious injuries when they went to search the house of TMC leader Shahjahan Shaikh in Sandeshkhali. 40 people killed in 2023 West Bengal Panchayat elections It happened. They were killed. Shed crocodile tears while talking about democracy in institutions and accuse us of killing democracy in institutions. In June 2023, the convoy of Union Minister Nisith Pramanik was attacked in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal and in May In 2021, Union Minister V Muraleedharan’s convoy was attacked. Attacked. Even BJP President Nadda ji’s car was attacked in West Bengal.”

The Finance Minister further said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself had ordered in June 2019 to return the cut money taken since 2011.

“I don’t need to say anything about corruption in Bengal. You all already know everything. CM Mamata Banerjee herself had ordered in June 2019 to return the cut money taken since 2011… In July 2022, state Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested… In October 2023, the state Forest Minister was arrested in a ration distribution scam worth crores of rupees… In April 2023, the Union and Bengal governments “Joint inspection of officials revealed that the state government had overreported ₹160 million midday meal schemes,” she said.

Ms Sitharaman further said that the factors that are driving the industry out of Bengal are power shortage and absolutely poor law and order situation.

“The factors that are driving industry out of Bengal are power shortage, absolutely poor law and order situation, uncontrolled trade unionism, no ease of doing business, and the nexus of corruption and syndicated crimes crippling the state . Cut money is being taken as a sovereign right. People are asking for help, but there is not a single police officer who has the capacity to say you will not do this in the state. I will not blame the police, After all, they are party cadres, he said, adding, “Some good policemen cannot do good work individually.”

A large number of women in Sandeshkhali have accused senior Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Shaikh and his supporters of “land grabbing and sexual harassment”.

Shahjahan continues to evade arrest, with both the state police and central agencies unable to trace him.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)