Bengal BJP MLA Hiran Chatterjee faces privilege notice over SKOCH award ‘payment’ claim

BJP MLA from Kharagpur, Hiran Chatterjee, has been served a breach of privilege notice in the West Bengal Assembly after alleging that the state government paid ₹11.26 lakh to secure 40 SKOCH Awards for various projects. The notice was moved by Minister of State for Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya and accepted by Speaker Biman Banerjee. The issue arose during a budget session discussion, where Chatterjee claimed that the awards were not earned on merit but purchased by the state administration.

Deputy Speaker Ashish Banerjee, who was presiding over the session, had asked Chatterjee to submit supporting documents for his claims. However, he has not provided any evidence so far. Chandrima Bhattacharya accused him of misleading the Assembly and failing to substantiate his allegations. "Hiran Chatterjee is making claims without any proof. He has not submitted any documents despite being asked," she stated while moving the privilege notice.

Speaker Biman Banerjee directed Chatterjee to submit documentary evidence if he stood by his allegations. The BJP MLA, however, insisted that he would only provide the documents if the Assembly issued a written request. He also maintained that his claims were based on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report. The Speaker has not yet commented on whether a written request would be made.

The ruling Trinamool Congress has dismissed the allegations, while BJP leaders have defended Chatterjee, stating that questions about government spending on awards must be answered. The privilege notice against Chatterjee follows a similar motion against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, indicating rising tensions between the ruling and opposition benches in the Assembly.