Bengal CM orders recovery of funds from 12,000 fake housing beneficiaries
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said legal action will be taken against those who obtained money through fraud under the previous TMC administration.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Friday that 12,000 individuals who obtained housing aid through fraudulent means under the previous TMC government will be identified and face legal consequences. According to The Hindu, the Chief Minister has called for these beneficiaries to refund the money they received.
Adhikari stated during a press conference that Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal reported 57,000 illegal applicants were delisted from the Banglar Bari project. Of these, 12,000 have been identified as having already received funds. While 1,000 people have returned the money, the Chief Minister has set a deadline of November 30 for the remaining ineligible recipients to do the same.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a retired judge has been formed to investigate alleged institutional corruption. Adhikari also announced a CID probe to identify officials who helped these individuals obtain monetary assistance illegally.
The Chief Minister noted that 7,171 additional rural beneficiaries will get financial aid in the second phase of the revamped Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana. This will bring the project's total expenditure to Rs 4,200 crore. Additionally, the government plans to recruit approximately 8,000 employees in the panchayat department, pending cabinet approval.
Regarding other schemes, Adhikari said 1.65 crore women have benefited from the Annapurna Yojana. He also mentioned that the verification process for OBC beneficiaries is expected to be finished by December 1.