SIT to probe fake accounts of Lakshmir Bhandar scheme of TMC govt: Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged fake accounts linked to the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme introduced during the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat Nabanna in Kolkata, Adhikari claimed that around 30 lakh beneficiary accounts under the women’s financial assistance scheme were found to be fake or ineligible.

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SIT and Money Laundering Probe Ordered

The chief minister said he had directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to constitute an SIT to investigate the alleged irregularities in the scheme. According to Adhikari, the matter may also involve illegal transfer of funds, prompting the government to initiate a money laundering investigation alongside the SIT probe.

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari has ordered an SIT probe into alleged fake accounts under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, claiming around 30 lakh beneficiaries were found ineligible.#WestBengal #SuvenduAdhikari #LakshmirBhandar #SITProbe #BengalPolitics #TMC @SuvenduWB pic.twitter.com/nAsETO5idY

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He further alleged that several men had availed benefits under the scheme meant exclusively for women beneficiaries during the previous TMC administration. “Some men have already been arrested for obtaining benefits of the welfare scheme through false claims,” the chief minister said.

Questions Raised Over Previous Scheme

Adhikari said the alleged irregularities highlighted the need for stricter verification procedures under the newly launched Annapurna Bhandar Yojana of the BJP-led government.

The chief minister referred to criticism surrounding the 12-page verification form introduced for the new scheme and said the additional scrutiny was necessary to prevent misuse of public funds. Under the Annapurna Bhandar Yojana, eligible women beneficiaries are expected to receive financial assistance of up to Rs 3,000 per month.

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Govt Promises Action at Grassroots Level

The chief minister stated that the state government would take strict action against those involved in fraudulent claims and ensure accountability at every level.

“We will break these illegalities at the grassroots level,” he said during the briefing. Adhikari also announced that benefits under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme would begin reaching a large number of women beneficiaries from Wednesday.

The Lakshmir Bhandar scheme was one of the flagship welfare programs launched by the previous TMC government and aimed at providing monthly financial support to women from economically weaker sections.