Mamata orders probe into phone tapping during LF regime

Mamata orders probe into phone tapping during LF regime

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who frequently alleged during the Left Front regime that her phone was being tapped, has said an inquiry has been ordered into the eavesdrop on political leaders, scribes and others by the earlier govt.

No rules were followed in tapping phones of political leaders, journalists and even common people during Left Front regime which would be inquired into, she told reporters in Kolkata on Thursday.

"We have asked the chief secretary, the home secretary and Kolkata police chief to probe at whose instance and for what purpose such phone tapping had taken place," she said after a meeting with senior IPS officers of the Kolkata Police, including police commissioner R K Pachnanda.

"Phone tapping is a violation of privacy. Phone tapping is done in case of terrorists and criminals and that too with the permission of the home ministry," she said.

She said there was public grievance for a long time about phone tapping without the permission of the Home ministry.

Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh and the Home Secretary G D Gautama were present at the meeting.

Prior to the Assembly elections, Banerjee had alleged several times that her phone and of some of her party leaders were being tapped.

She had also complained to the Union Home Ministry.

Mamata to meet Pranab on WBengal finances

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has said that she would meet Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday to discuss the financial situation of the state.

"We will meet the finance minister on Sunday to discuss the finances of the state. Our Finance Minister Amit Mitra will also be present," Banerjee told reporters after a cabinet meeting in Kolkata on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister said that the government has been able to make arrangements for payment of salaries and pension of the employees for the next three to four months.

Referring to the return of 400 acres at Singur to farmers, she said that the government would look into ways in which it could be done.

She also said that Industry minister Partha Chatterjee had received possession of the agreement between the Tatas and erstwhile Left Front government and it would be made public.

"Let the industry minister go through the agreement. Then it will be released to the media," she said.

The Chief Minister said that the Tatas were welcome to set up shop on the remaining 600 acre at Singur.

Responding to a query, she said that she would reciprocate Ratan Tata's gesture on sending her a congratulatory message, by replying to it, "It's a matter of courtesy."