PNB scam was planned before note ban, says Mamata Banerjee

Berhmapore: Accusing the Centre of protecting the accused,  diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, in the PNB scam, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday dropped the names of two PSU banks where big fishes were recruited with vested interests.

She claimed that the bank fraud was planned one year before the demonetisation enforced by the Modi government in November of 2016.

Addressing a meeting at Berhampore in Murshidabad, Ms Banerjee said, “The common people toil hard to deposit their money in banks for savings. But some people amass their money for their enjoyment. The government at the Centre is for those who amass wealth. It even protects them. We know that the cat will come out of the bag one day. It is not only the Punjab National Bank.”

Ms Banerjee claimed, “There are many more banks where big fishes are posted. There is a need to track down under whose umbrella they work. Who has given them the protection? Who has given them the priority? I think that the planning of the fraud was made a year ahead of the demonetisation. I know that recruitment was carried out at random at Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank among others. It was done deliberately.” She added, “Papers of that recruitment are with everyone. Evidence does not lie.”

The chief minister complained that the BJP tried hard to grab Tripura in the Assembly elections. According to her, democracy cannot be sold for money. Ms Banerjee alleged that the BJP was also trying to divide the people.

She described the rule of the BJP at the Centre as “very much unfortunate” and “a big shame for the country.”

The chief minister earlier expressed her displeasure during her administrative review meeting over the performances of food supplies department, labour department and public works departments in the district.