Suvendu Adhikari Warns of Financial Mismanagement in West Bengal

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has raised concerns to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman about potential mismanagement of development and welfare funds in West Bengal. He fears the state government might divert these resources to delay a looming financial crisis, prompting a call for stringent financial oversight.

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, expressing concerns that development and welfare funds intended for the people of West Bengal may be diverted and mismanaged to delay an impending financial crisis.

Adhikari also met with the Union minister in Delhi, sharing on social media, 'Met Smt. @nsitharaman Ji and tried to draw her attention towards the prospect of intentional diversion and misappropriation of Developmental and Welfare funds by the West Bengal Government, as a desperate attempt to delay the ensuing financial meltdown in the state.'

In his letter to Sitharaman, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly referenced an alleged communication from the state's finance department to district magistrates. The communication reportedly requested bank account details, including closing balances, from all levels of state government offices, ostensibly to 'enhance the management of the state's financial resources.' Adhikari warned that following the decline of industrialization, 'West Bengal is on the brink of financial collapse amid a pandemic-induced job crisis.' He further conveyed fears that the development and welfare funds meant for the people might be unethically diverted or mismanaged to delay the financial meltdown.

Highlighting central funds such as PMGSY, MDM (PM Poshan), ICDS, and MSDP (for minority development), he stressed the need for 'rigorous financial oversight and scrutiny in the public interest,' to prevent misuse of funds by the state government.

(With inputs from agencies.)