Hooghly, 29 May (H.S.): Urmila Devi, a resident of Ward No. 1 under the Rishra Municipality in West Bengal, has alleged that money under the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme was being deposited into another person’s bank account. She has lodged a written complaint at the Serampore Police Station regarding the matter.

Speaking on Friday, Urmila Devi said that she had enrolled herself under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. However, while other women in her neighbourhood regularly received the scheme benefits in their bank accounts, she never received any money.

According to her allegations, the funds meant for her were being transferred to the bank account of a man identified as Vijay Shaw. Urmila claimed that although her name appeared on the Lakshmir Bhandar application form, the bank account details mentioned in the records belonged to Vijay Shaw.

She further alleged that when she directly approached Vijay Shaw and questioned him about the matter, he allegedly tried to settle the issue by handing her Rs 5,000.

Following the incident, Urmila Devi informed the local councillor and various administrative authorities. She alleged that during the previous government regime, she did not receive any justice or resolution in the matter.

After the change in power in the state, she finally approached the police and formally lodged a complaint at Serampore Police Station. Police have started an investigation into the allegations.

Meanwhile, Vijay Shaw admitted before Hindusthan Samachar that the money had indeed been credited to his account and stated that he was willing to return the entire amount. He said that he had approached local councillor Partha Sarathi Gupta regarding the issue, and the councillor had assured him that the problem would soon be resolved. However, according to him, no solution was eventually provided.

Repeated attempts were made to contact councillor Partha Sarathi Gupta over the phone for his reaction to the allegations, but he could not be reached.

The police are currently investigating the matter and have assured the complainant that appropriate action will be taken.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey