Chirag Paswan refutes Jan Suraaj's "empty claims" over "funds diverted to give Rs 10,000 to women" in Bihar

Patna (Bihar) [India], November 16 (ANI): Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday dismissed the allegations of Jan Suraaj spokesperson Pavan Varma that funds from the World Bank meant for some other project were "diverted" for the Bihar Assembly elections by the central government and distributed to women voters in the state.
Speaking to reporters, Paswan questioned the source of Varma's data and accused him of making "empty claims."
"Where do they get this data from, this information from?... Making empty claims - if you have any facts, present it and the Govt will respond," Paswan told reporters.
Earlier, in an interview with ANI, Pavan Varma said, "The public debt in Bihar is at present 4,06,000 crore. The interest per day is 63 crore. The treasury is empty. We have information which could be wrong, also that the amount of Rs 10,000 given to women in the state was given from Rs 21,000 crore, which came from the World Bank for some other project. An hour before the moral code of conduct for the polls, Rs 14,000 crore were taken out and distributed to 1.25 crore women in the state," he alleged.
However, he said that these allegations may or may not be true.
"As I have said, this is our information. If it is wrong, I seek forgiveness. But if it is true, then the question arises as to how far this is ethical. It is possible that, legally, you cannot do anything. The government can divert funds and later give explanations. Explanation will come after the election. There are upcoming polls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and other BJP-ruled states. You make promises, and the other party gives money, it is going to affect the voters differently," he said.
Pavan Varma further stated that there were rumours in Bihar that if the NDA is not voted to power, then the remaining amount will not be transferred.
"There are four crore women voters in Bihar, and 2.5 crores have not received the amount. The remaining women felt that if the NDA does not come to power, then we will not receive the benefit. Our ambitions being a new party were excessive, but our message was right and the response was good," he added. (ANI)