Kolkata: The new West Bengal Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments Bill, 2013 was passed in the state Assembly Thursday, after withdrawing the earlier one following objections from the Centre.
The Bill was moved in the House by the state Finance Minister Amit Mitra incorporating some clauses as suggested by the union Finance Ministry.
The Ministry had raised objections and had sought clarifications from the Trinamool Congress-led state government on the earlier Bill.
Clarifications were sought on widening the powers of special designated courts dealing with cases related to chit funds and that no court could grant anticipatory bail. The new Bill was passed incorporating fresh provisions like attachment of property in case of default in payment of deposit and transfer of property.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Surya Kanta Mishra strongly criticised the fresh Bill describing it as an equally non-transparent one and said the withdrawal of the previous Bill was unconstitutional.
Mishra feared the new Bill would also fail to get a Presidential assent and said the move was an attempt by the government to protect the culprits involved in the ponzi scam.
He also demanded a CBI probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court and raised questions on giving compensation from the public exchequer.
Mitra, however, said the Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen Commission was set up following directives of the Calcutta High Court.
