Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday criticized Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for not arresting bank officials involved in the Tribal Welfare Board scam before demanding her resignation.
"Siddaramaiah could have had the bank officials arrested, which would have given him the right to ask for my resignation," Sitharaman stated to the media. She emphasized that she had no issue with bank officials being arrested in any case, but pointed out that Siddaramaiah had not taken such action, nor had his minister resigned.
Sitharaman noted that even Siddaramaiah’s associates acknowledged that money had been siphoned off and transferred to private accounts. This statement followed Siddaramaiah's earlier demand for Sitharaman’s resignation due to the involvement of bank officials in the scam.
The Finance Minister assured that action had been taken against the involved bank officials and further lawful measures would follow.
Highlighting the gravity of the issue, Sitharaman said, "The money belonged to SC-ST Valmiki community. It’s outrageous that Rs 187 crore has been siphoned off, yet the Chief Minister claims only Rs 89 crore. This is happening with SC-ST money, and there’s no outrage? They (Congress) talk about ‘Nyay’. Is this the ‘Nyay’? Why didn’t Siddaramaiah and his minister stop the bank officials?"
She confirmed that her department had already taken action against the bank officials and promised further legal action and prosecution soon. Sitharaman questioned the state government's response, demanding punishment for the bank officials who facilitated the scam.