Reacting to the withdrawal of general consent to CBI by West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh Government, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hit back on Saturday and said fear is the only driving force behind such move.
The Andhra Pradesh Government and Mamata Banerjee led TMC government in West Bengal withdraw the “general consent” for CBI and central agencies, preventing them to investigate any case in the state without seeking permission from the Home Ministry of the states. “Saying those two state government ’s possible fear of investigation has forced them to bar the CBI. Only those who have a lot to hide is barring CBI from entering their state. There is no sovereignty in any state when it comes to corruption” Arun Jaitley told a news agency.
The General Consent is accorded by Andhra Government routinely for six months or a year. The last consent in the state was given on August 3, 2018.
Supporting the Andhra move, TMC Supremo, Mamta has also revoked the ‘general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI). The ‘General Consent’ in the West Bengal had been accorded by the then left government in 1989. However, the withdrawal of general consent will not any impact of the existing cases, investigation and filing of charge sheets by CBI. The CBI’s function from now onwards will be carried by Anti-Corruption Bureau(ACB) of Andhra Government.
TDP leader Lanka Dinakar accuses BJP of misusing the institution. He said ‘The decision came in the light of incidents happening over months. The agency has lost all its Independence and the government is using as an instrument to create an atmosphere of fear in its oppositions’