WB govt initiates audit of activities in Housing Dept

Taking a stand against corruption, the West Bengal government has engaged a multi-national company for audit of housing department's activities to unravel "irregularities" in it, a state minister today said.
Report of these audits would unravel the truth behind the "irregularities" in his department during the Left Front government's tenure, Housing Minister Aroop Biswas said.
The company has also been asked to conduct forensic audits, he said.
Replying to the debate on budgetary demands for grant of his department in the state Assembly, Biswas said the government would not compromise with any corruption in the department and adequate steps have already been taken to identify those involved in corrupt practices.

None of those involved in these malpractices would be spared, the minister said.
Biswas said, altogether 1,700 cases were pending in the courts for various irregularities in his department.

The minister said the state government has engaged a multi-national company for audit of his department's activities, besides asking them to conduct forensic audits, he said.
Out of 2,000 government flats, there were 251 cases of illegal transfers, Biswas claimed.
Stating that all quotas for government flats have been abolished, the minister said only Banga Bibhusan recipients would be allowed such a benefit on demand.
Speaking about major programmes undertaken by his department, Biswas said a total allocation of Rs 700 crore has been proposed for implementation of different schemes during 2014-15.

Out of it, nearly Rs 600 crore have been proposed for construction of 42,000 dwelling units for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of the society in rural areas.
A sum of Rs 8 crore has been proposed for allocation in urban EWS schemes for infrastructure development in the already constructed 720 flats in New Town area, Biswas said adding, a decision has been taken to construct night shelters in different government hospitals.
Two more hostels for working women would also come up soon raising the total number of such facilities to five and steps have also been taken to repair 36 government housing estates, the minister said.