BJP Flags ₹100 Cr Malda Flood Relief ‘Scam’
CAG report cites multiple payouts, benefits to ineligible persons
- BJP cites 700-page CAG report on Malda flood relief
- Nearly 7,000 people allegedly received payments multiple times
- Funds meant for poor and flood victims diverted, BJP alleges
- Trinamool yet to respond
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 4th Jan: The Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress, citing a 700-page Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report alleging irregularities amounting to nearly ₹100 crore in the distribution of relief funds following the 2017 floods in Malda district.
According to the BJP, the CAG report — submitted to the Calcutta High Court — found that 6,965 individuals received flood relief payments multiple times, with some beneficiaries allegedly receiving between two and 42 transactions into the same bank account.
The party highlighted a case in Harishchandrapur-2 block, where one individual is alleged to have received relief money 42 times. It also claimed that ₹7.5 crore was disbursed for damages to ‘pucca’ houses, even though the District Magistrate’s report confirmed zero damage to such structures.
Ashok Das (52), a physically challenged resident of Harishchandrapur, alleged that despite his house being damaged in the floods, his family is still awaiting assistance nearly nine years later. “My family was shortlisted for a house, but Trinamool members denied us financial help. They have looted all the funds,” he claimed.
His wife Archana Das said the family has struggled to educate their three daughters due to the lack of relief. “We were denied funds despite being enlisted,” she alleged.
The BJP further claimed that 108 public representatives and government employees — allegedly linked to the Trinamool — received benefits meant for below-poverty-line households, despite drawing regular salaries.
Calling the findings “shameful”, BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal said the report exposed diversion of funds meant for poor families and flood victims to party workers and representatives. BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar alleged that officials were also involved, while North Malda BJP General Secretary Abhishek Singhania demanded punishment for those named in the CAG findings.
The Trinamool Congress is yet to respond to the allegations.
