Kolkata, 01 June (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday alleged that nearly three million fake accounts were created under the previous Trinamool Congress government's Lakshmir Bhandar scheme and directed the Director General of Police to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.

Addressing a press conference at Nabanna, the Chief Minister claimed that large-scale irregularities had surfaced during a preliminary review of the scheme. He alleged that public funds were transferred through fraudulent accounts and said the investigation would also examine possible money laundering aspects linked to the alleged misuse of the welfare programme.

Adhikari further claimed that several men had fraudulently availed benefits intended exclusively for women beneficiaries. According to him, some individuals have already been arrested for allegedly receiving benefits under women’s identities.

“The government is committed to identifying and eliminating irregularities at every level,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the SIT would conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged fraud.

The Chief Minister also defended the 12-page verification form introduced for the state government's newly launched Annapurna Bhandar scheme. Responding to criticism over the length and complexity of the application process, he said the stringent verification mechanism was necessary to prevent ineligible applicants from receiving benefits.

Adhikari argued that those questioning the application procedure should take into account the alleged irregularities that have come to light in the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.

Under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, eligible women will receive financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per month. The Chief Minister announced that the first installment of the scheme would be credited to the bank accounts of a large number of beneficiaries on Wednesday.

Addressing concerns regarding the detailed verification process, he said the government had adopted the system to ensure that no ineligible or non-Indian beneficiary receives financial assistance under the scheme.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh