Newz Desk, Durgapur: A political controversy erupted in the ABL Colony area of Durgapur over allegations that government-issued tarpaulins were being used for building renovation work. BJP leaders staged a protest surrounding the contractor at the site, following which police from New Township Police Station reached the spot to bring the situation under control.
The BJP alleged that around 40 to 50 government tarpaulins were being used during the renovation work. Party leaders claimed that several such tarpaulins were visible at the site. The BJP has also raised questions over how such a large number of government tarpaulins allegedly reached the contractor. According to the party, several of the tarpaulins bear the ‘Biswa Bangla’ logo, associated with the previous West Bengal government. The allegations have prompted the BJP to demand an investigation into whether government property was being used for private construction or renovation work.
Tarun Das, BJP convenor of Durgapur East Assembly constituency, alleged that a large number of government tarpaulins were being used at the site. “Nearly 50 government tarpaulins are being used for the work. Several of them carry the Biswa Bangla logo. The contractor says he purchased the tarpaulins from poor people. However, a person from the organisation itself is saying that the tarpaulins were obtained from the office of a Trinamool Congress councillor. We have approached the police and demanded an investigation,” Das alleged.
The contractor, Prabhakar Pandey, however, denied any wrongdoing. He claimed that he had purchased the tarpaulins from economically disadvantaged people who had sold them to him. “Poor people sold the tarpaulins to me, and I purchased them. But I am being pressured,” Pandey said.
The incident has triggered questions over the source and ownership of the tarpaulins, with the BJP demanding that the police investigate how the material reached the construction site and whether any government property was misused. Police intervened after the protest intensified. Further details regarding any investigation or action taken were awaited.
