The opposition CPIM in Tripura has raised serious concerns regarding the State government’s canvas bag distribution program for ration cardholders, accusing the Food Department and its Minister Sushanta Chowdhury of financial irregularities.
State Secretary Jitendra Choudhury of the CPIM leveled a significant allegation against Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, claiming, “Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and his department are engaged in embezzlement of taxpayers’ funds. When the minister stated that each canvas bag costs Rs. 68, questions arose about its quality. Minister Sushanta Chowdhury explained that the government had to spend Rs. 6.50 crore from the government’s cash credit to purchase and distribute these bags for free.”
Jiten Choudhury continued and said, “However, this means the government must repay the bank for the credit used to buy the bags, ultimately placing an additional burden on taxpayers”.
Choudhury asserted that these canvas bags primarily serve as a means of promoting the images of PM Modi, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, and Food Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.
“People who received these canvas bags have expressed concerns about their quality. Bags available in the regular market for Rs. 20 are of superior quality compared to those the government is spending Rs. 6.50 crore on,” Choudhury stated.
He alleged that the government’s expenditure of Rs. 6.50 crore on free bag distribution constitutes a significant misappropriation of taxpayers’ money and called for a thorough investigation into the bag procurement process and their source of production.
Choudhury also criticized the government’s accusations against the former Left Front government regarding mustard oil distribution.
He noted, “Despite encountering packaging challenges, the Left Front government of that period managed to deposit cash directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.”