Mamata government shielding scamsters: Rahul Gandhi

Malda, April 19 (IANS) Claiming that big scams are happening in West Bengal, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress government in the state accusing it of shielding scamsters.

"Bigger scams are happening in Bengal. You all know about the Saradha (chit fund) scam, 20 lakh people have suffered losses.

"The SEBI and the ED (Enforcement Directorate) have been clamouring for action, but the government here is taking no action, rather, it is shielding them," Gandhi said at a party rally in Shamsi of Malda district.

While Saradha promoter Sudpta Sen is already behind bars, the ED probing the matter, recently arrested Sen's wife and son for alleged money laundering.

Suspended Trinamool MP Kunal Ghosh who has also been arrested has repeatedly alleged involvement of several of his party colleagues in the scam.

Gandhi also accused the Mamata Banerjee led government of appointing Trinamool workers instead of genuine candidates as primary school teachers by flouting governmental guidelines.

"There is teacher appointment scam involving recruitment of 35,000 primary school teachers. Without following government guidelines, Trinamool workers were absorbed in place of genuine candidates, candidates who know how to teach," he said about the alleged irregularities in the appointment of primary school teachers.

Rubbishing Banerjee's claims that he state has been denied central funds, Gandhi said Rs.1,200 crore under the MNREGA has been provided.

"The government says centre doesn't give money but the fact is we have sent Rs.1,200 crore for MNREGA. In fact Rs.120 crore central funds is lying unused with Malda district.

"This government only talks big but doesn't do anything for the poor. Your government here doesn't do anything, it is the Delhi government which will generate employment for you," said Gandhi as he talked about his party's plans for industrialisation and employment generation.

Gandhi harped on the issue of women reservation.

"The most number of rapes and atrocities against women happen in Bengal," said Gandhi, promising that if the Congress came to power it would give 33 percent reservation to women besides setting up exclusive women police stations.

Taking the fight to the other rivals, Gandhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of dividing people and the country of communal lines and said the CPI-M "which has become irrelevant" was "anti-industry".