Calcutta HC Orders CAG audit Into Amphan Relief Funds In Bengal
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2020-12-02 09:49:59
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The Calcutta High Court has ordered a two-tier audit in the cyclone Amphan relief fund utilization in West Bengal. The audit will be done by the Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) which will examine both the financial and performance aspects. Making it clear that the court's order must not come in the way of ongoing relief measures, the court also left it for the Centre and the state to decide what action is to be taken if irregularities were detected in the audit.
It needs reminding that in July this year, there were protests against the TMC across the belt affected by the cyclone where it was alleged that block level functionaries of the party had appropriated the relief funds and only a small percentage of those actually affected were provided relief, that too after paying bribes. At that time chief minister Mamata Banerjee had taken strict action against partymen whose names had cropped up in the so-called Amphan scam and had forced a few of them to return the "cut money" they had taken as a bribe to provide relief.
The court took cognizance of the allegations. It said that the petitioners had alleged that most of the funds had gone to those not actually affected, most of those affected did not get any relief and there was no transparency about the real beneficiaries. The court found this highly disturbing as it was a matter of natural calamity and huge funds were earmarked for relief operations. The court said that "public funds meant for use in such a situation cannot be utilized except in strict conformity with the principles governing the distribution of state funds in times of need". The court also hoped that the West Bengal government will fully cooperate with the CAG in the conduct of the audit.
There is no doubt that the entire relief operations after Amphan, especially the use of funds, have been shrouded in mystery. That there is some truth in the allegations of misappropriation was proved when Mamata Banerjee took action against local TMC functionaries in July. But the CPM and the BJP had alleged that her efforts were just "eyewash". Hence, the CAG audit ordered by the court will show how, and how much, money was siphoned off and what other irregularities took place.
