The West Bengal Government on Tuesday cleared the setting up of an inquiry commission to probe money collecting schemes and organisations in the State.
The commission will be headed by retired Justice Shyamal Sen and will have three to four other members assisting him.
According to State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee, the commission will probe the activities of the Saradha group that went bust earlier this week leading to several thousands of depositors and agents demanding intervention by the State Government. “It (the commission) will primarily look into the activities of the Saradha Group and similar companies,” Chatterjee said. “The notification in this regard will be issued soon and the commission will work within another day or two,” he added.
According to Chatterjee, the commission will come out with newspaper advertisements. Any aggrieved person can approach the commission with complaints in case they “feel cheated”.
Congress retaliates
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Monday announced the State’s intent to set up a 4-member inquiry commission. Apart from a retired Justice, the other members, she said, would include members from the corporate world, public life and economists.
The State Congress unit, however, questioned the scope of the commission set up by the State Government.
Protests
“It seems to be a commission just like 40 or 50 other commissions. There is no mention or information about its scope. We will not accept this commission unless we know its detailed scope and ambit,” WBPCC chief Pradip Bhattacharya said at a protest rally.
Meanwhile, protests against the Group continued across the State with thousands of depositors and agents taking to the streets.
On Tuesday, angry protestors attacked the offices of Saradha Group in various districts, blocked railways and national highways and burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister.
People also protested outside the residence of State’s Minister for Paschimanchal Development at Jhargram in West Midnapore district.
Agents and distributors had earlier demonstrated outside Banerjee’s South Kolkata residence and at the State headquarters of the Trinamool Congress.