Kolkata, 22 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report will be tabled in the State Legislative Assembly on July 25, asserting that all instances of corruption and financial irregularities highlighted in the report would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the report would be discussed in detail in the House and that no individual found guilty of corruption would be spared, irrespective of position or office.

Adhikari said that if any Chief Minister, minister, elected representative or government official was found responsible for wrongdoing, appropriate legal action would be initiated. He added that the government would obtain the Governor's approval wherever required under the law before proceeding against public functionaries.

Targeting the previous government led by Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister alleged that CAG reports were never tabled in the Assembly during its tenure. He said constitutional conventions require both the CAG and Lokayukta reports to be placed before the legislature and debated, but claimed that the earlier government had failed to follow this practice. He asserted that the present government was committed to upholding constitutional procedures and ensuring legislative scrutiny.

The Chief Minister also alleged that there had been large-scale irregularities in the utilisation of the Rs 3,750 crore assistance sanctioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for West Bengal following Cyclone Fani. He said all observations and recommendations contained in the CAG report would be examined and acted upon in accordance with the law.

Reiterating his government's commitment to transparency and accountability, Adhikari said there would be no leniency in cases involving the misuse of public funds and that every allegation of financial misconduct would be investigated on merit.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh