CID Forms Special Team to Investigate Fraudulent Beneficiaries in West Bengal Housing Scheme
The West Bengal government has launched an investigation into fraudulent beneficiaries of its housing scheme, with a special CID team formed for the task.
Kolkata, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Friday that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will investigate fraudulent beneficiaries of the West Bengal Housing Scheme. This initiative aims to scrutinize those who wrongfully received benefits and those who recommended them.
The housing scheme, initially known as “Banglar Bari” under the previous Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee, has been renamed the West Bengal Housing Scheme following the BJP’s rise to power under Adhikari’s leadership.
During an event at the state secretariat, Nabanna, Chief Minister Adhikari revealed the formation of the SIT while distributing financial assistance to over seven lakh legitimate beneficiaries of the housing scheme. He stated that 57,000 fraudulent beneficiaries have already been identified, with some returning the funds they received. “I urge those who are not rightful beneficiaries to return the money. We will establish a CID SIT for this investigation. If any government official is found involved in recommending these fake beneficiaries, departmental action will be taken against them,” he declared.
On the same day, the Chief Minister announced that an installment of ₹60,000 would be deposited into the accounts of seven lakh beneficiaries under the West Bengal Housing Scheme. Previously, one million beneficiaries had received the second installment of the scheme.
Adhikari criticized the previous government, asserting that they had spread false propaganda before the assembly elections earlier this year, claiming that all welfare schemes would cease if the BJP came to power. “We have proven this claim to be false. We do not distribute money based on caste, religion, or community. We want those who left their homes unfinished to complete them. The former government also claimed that we would not establish a new pay commission or provide dearness allowance to state employees. We have disproven that as well,” he added.
Additionally, the Chief Minister instructed district officials to ensure that individuals building homes under the West Bengal Housing Scheme do not spend more than ₹1,200 on sand procurement.
