173 male names detected in 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme beneficiary list in Nadia

KRISHNANAGAR: The Nadia district administration has launched an investigation after 173 male names were found in the beneficiary list of the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, which is intended exclusively for women, officials said on Tuesday.

The irregularities were detected in the Dhubulia area of Nadia district. District Magistrate Srikanth Palli said the names had already been removed from the list, according to news agency PTI.

"At least 173 names of male persons were detected in the Lakshmir Bhandar list in the Dhubulia area of Nadia district; the names have been deleted, and an investigation has been initiated," Palli told reporters.

According to officials, preliminary findings indicate that 173 Lakshmir Bhandar accounts were allegedly created and funds withdrawn through them since February this year.

Authorities are now examining the exact modus operandi behind the alleged fraud and assessing the amount of money involved.

Sources said the state government has directed the Nadia district administration to conduct a detailed probe into the matter.

Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said he had asked the state police chief to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of fake beneficiaries under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, a women's cash transfer programme launched during the previous TMC government.

Adhikari claimed that around 30 lakh of the scheme's 2.2 crore beneficiaries are fake.

He also said a money laundering investigation would be carried out, alleging that the case involves illegal cash transfers.

The chief minister further alleged that men had received financial assistance under the scheme, despite it being meant exclusively for women, during the TMC government's tenure.