Thaindian News

Kolkata, May 9 (IANS) A bank employees’ group Monday alleged that officials of two public sector banks were spreading “misinformation” to justify their decision of illegally issuing drafts to the Trinamool Congress.

The group alleged that while issuing the drafts last month the banks violated the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines because of political pressure.

“The United Bank of India (UBI) and the Allahabad Bank chiefs have stated deliberate misinformation to confuse and mislead the public regarding issuance of bank drafts to Trinamool Congress,” Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) general secretary Pradip Biswas told reporters here.

“As a responsible organisation of bank employees, we are clarifying the position,” he said.

He said a city branch of the UBI issued 20 bank drafts, each of Rs.49,500, to the Trinamool Congress April 12 and the sole beneficiary of these drafts was M Power Global Access India Private Limited.

One branch of the Allahabad Bank in Kolkata issued a total of 11 drafts, 10 drafts each of Rs.49,000 and one of Rs.10,000, to the Trinamool Congress April 13,” he said.

“It is understood that the banks had intentionally structured the transactions. This is gross violation of RBI’s Master Circulars issued July 1, 2010. We have come to know that initially the concerned employees of the banks refused to do so, but because of pressure from the higher authorities they allowed the transactions,” Biswas said.

Allahabad Bank chairman and managing director J.P. Dua in a press conference in Kolkata May 2 said no irregularities had taken place in issuing the demand drafts to the Trinamool Congress.

“No irregularity has taken place. We have followed the rules and regulations,” he said.