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A Unique Campaign To Return Cut Money In Cooch Behar With Loudspeakers Reminding Tmc Leaders Daily

By Samira Vishwas

Villagers in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district have adopted a unique method to take back the “cut money” collected by TMC leaders. After the local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader promised to return the alleged amount collected from the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) by June 4, the villagers are now reminding them of that promise daily through loudspeakers in the entire village.

Villagers say this is not just an announcement, but an effort to ensure public accountability so that leaders do not forget their promises. Announcements are being made continuously through loudspeaker in booth number 173 of Ghughmari Gram Panchayat area of ​​Cooch Behar South, in which the deadline of June 4 is being mentioned.

The term “cut money” has been a topic of discussion for a long time in West Bengal politics. It is used for alleged commissions which have been linked to allegations of being collected at the local level in the name of providing benefits of government schemes or ensuring approval of development works.

The matter came to light after the protests

The matter came into limelight when villagers demonstrated outside the house of local TMC Panchayat member Jyotsna Barman. The protesters alleged that amounts ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 were collected from the beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Villagers claim that during the previous TMC government, many families felt forced to pay this amount due to fear of delays in future installments or being deprived of the scheme. They alleged that commission had to be paid to avail benefits.

Pressure through posters and march also

Apart from loudspeaker announcements, villagers also took out rallies with placards in their hands. Through these posters and slogans, Jyotsna Burman is being reminded of her promise in which she had assured to return the money to all the affected people by June 4.

According to local sources, the villagers’ agitation was temporarily suspended when Jyotsna Barman and other local leaders reportedly assured that all the beneficiaries would be refunded their money.

Movement intensified after change of power

In the recent assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 207 seats, ending the 15-year rule of TMC, after which people in many rural areas have courageously opened fronts against the hooliganism and extortion of TMC leaders. After the change of power, the villagers intensified their agitation demanding return of the allegedly recovered amount.

We will keep an eye on the situation till June 4 and if the money is not returned by the stipulated deadline, the agitation will be restarted. He has warned that massive protests will be held if the promise is not fulfilled.

At present, the daily announcements made through loudspeakers in the entire area have become a topic of discussion. The villagers say this is a fight for their rights and they will not back down until the entire amount allegedly recovered is returned to the beneficiaries.

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