Fraud chit funds: Cong,Trinamool MPs write to PM

Khan Chowdhury also held a meeting with state urban development minister Firhad Hakim in the state secretariat.

Hakim,when contacted,said Khan Chowdhury had met him about the water supply problem in Malda during which there was a discussion on chit funds. Hakim,however,said the state’s hands were tied as the chit funds were monitored and regulated by the Centre.

Khan Chowdhury said he had written to PM and Moily,listing as many 107 chit funds that are duping villagers on the promise of heavy returns. In Malda and other districts,such companies have come up with huge hoardings announcing investments in health and food processing industries.

Several Congress and TMC leaders,who did not want to be named,corroborated the complaints and said a number senior TMC leaders were involved in several chit funds. They also hinted that money raised thus funds were being used in media ventures.

Khan Chowdhury said his letters,sent about two months ago to PM and Moily,have so far elicited no response. He said he has written to the PM again.

Meanwhile,Trinamol Congress MP Somen Mitra,too,has written to the PM demanding action against a large number of chit fund companies.

West Bengal PCC president Pradip Bhattacharya said,“The central and state governments are there to investigate the issues related to the chit fund companies. Apart from the governments,the RBI also looks into the matter. We do not have anything to comment on this. But the state government should investigate into it.” West Bengal Pradesh Youth Congress chief Mausom Noor said if the state government failed to take any action in this regard,the outfit will take to the roads in protest.