Trinamool not saying why axe old bill on chit funds: Left

West Bengal's opposition Left Front Monday attacked the Mamata Banerjee government for seeking to withdraw an earlier bill passed by the legislature to rein in chit funds in the state and pass a new one without any explanation.

"The bill, which is now being withdrawn, was unanimously passed in 2009 during our regime. The government has not explained the reasons and the context for the withdrawal of that bill," said Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

He contended that the withdrawal of the West Bengal Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Institutions Bill without giving proper explanation and reasons was unconstitutional.

In the wake of the multi-crore Saradha Group chit fund scam, Banerjee announced the government's decision to pass a new bill to rein in chit funds and convened a two-day special session of the state legislature for introducing the proposed law.

Claiming the earlier bill passed by the erstwhile regime and sent for presidential assent, has certain loopholes and was not adequate to control the chit fund mess, the Banerjee government has mooted the new law.

Mishra accused the Banerjee government of shying away from a discussion on the withdrawal of the bill.

The Congress too has raised issues over the withdrawal of the previous bill, and accused the state government of withdrawing it without explaining the reasons.

However, the Trinamool has rubbished the opposition's concerns.

"People know the reason behind the bill. Unless the older bill is withdrawn, how can we pass the new bill? We will obey the rules of procedures. We shall certainly not break the rules. We will discuss thoroughly the motion," said state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee.