Institutional collapse given way to dangerous form of cronyism: Rahul's fresh attack on SEBI chief
New Delhi, Oct 28: Stepping up his attack over conflicts of interest allegations against SEBI chief Madhabi Buch, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged it is clear that Buch is "protecting Adani's money, his valuation and reputation", and asked who is protecting her and why.
Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also said the current regime is no longer merely encouraging monopolies but actively concentrating the nation's wealth in the hands of a few.
He made the remarks in his post along with a video featuring him and Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera in which they talk about the alleged conflicts of interest of SEBI chief Buch.
"Institutional collapse has now given way to a more dangerous form of cronyism -- Adani Bachao. The current regime is no longer merely encouraging monopolies, it's actively concentrating the nation's wealth in the hands of a few," Gandhi said.
The Madhabi Buch scandal goes deeper than initially imagined, he said, adding that it may be that Buch, entrusted with safeguarding retail investors, has been manipulating the system to "protect" Adani's interests and his inflated valuations.
Those entrusted with protecting common Indians and their investments have abrogated their responsibilities and are indulging in wide scale corruption and malpractice, he alleged.
The Congress has consistently raised these issues, is investigating these scams, and exposing the truth to the public, Gandhi said.
In the video, Khera is seen explaining to Gandhi the various conflicts of interest allegations against Buch and how there were powers behind her that were at work, an apparent reference to the Adani Group.
Sharing the video, the party said the role of SEBI chairperson is to maintain the security of the stock market and ensure investments of common Indians are not at risk. However, when the chairperson is involved in manipulating the market to benefit a single player - like the Adani Group - then everyone's money is at risk, it said.
"That is what is happening with the Madhabi Buch Scandal. She has been placed in this position by PM Modi and HM Amit Shah to give Adani a clean chit in allegations of stock manipulation," it said.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, "What was SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch taking money from ICICI for?" How could she hold shares in unlisted companies while being the SEBI Chairperson and why did that company receive crores of rupees from Startup India, he asked.
"What is the fear of the government not taking action on this? It is clear that Buch is protecting Adani's money, his valuation and reputation, but who is protecting Buch and why?" Gandhi said.
"The agencies did not investigate, the media did not question, the government did not take action - we have investigated, are also questioning and action will also be taken when the time comes!" the former Congress chief said.
SEBI अध्यक्ष माधबी बुच ICICI से किस बात के पैसे ले रही थीं?
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 28, 2024
अध्यक्ष रहते हुए unlisted companies में share कैसे रख सकती थीं? उस company को Startup India के करोड़ों रुपए क्यों मिले?
सरकार किस डर से इस पर कार्रवाई नहीं कर रही?
साफ है बुच अडानी के पैसे, उनकी valuation और… https://t.co/BcsWUnzK4h
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
