PTI, KOLKATA: Elected public representatives and government officials in West Bengal who accept “cut money” from beneficiaries of welfare schemes will now be charged under a tough law that provides for life imprisonment in the event of conviction, CMO sources said Tuesday.
The state assembly, meanwhile, witnessed noisy protests over the issue for the second day running, with the opposition demanding a statement by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and setting up an inquiry commission to go into the matter.
The “errant” public representatives and government functionaries will be charged under section 409 of the IPC which relates to criminal breach of trust by a public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent, officials in the chief minister’s office said speaking on condition of anonymity.
A person convicted under the law is liable to be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, besides fine.
The decision was taken by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, they said.
It followed a massive public uproar in different parts of the state where several ruling TMC leaders were mobbed by people demanding “refund” of the cut money taken by them to facilitate the beneficiaries get the benefits of various welfare schemes run by the government.
