West Bengal's Chief Minister,Suvendu Adhikari,is launching an inquiry into fraudulent accounts linked to a women’s cash assistance program. This program, started by the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, has come under fire after around 30 lakh suspect accounts were found. Adhikari made the announcement during a press briefing at the government headquarters in Kolkata.
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari stressed the importance of a deep dive into these fraudulent accounts and potential money laundering issues. He noted the program had been misused,which hurt its original goal. "About 30 lakh accounts connected to this financial scheme are fraudulent," he said, urging law enforcement to act quickly .
Adhikari also raised concerns about how new Annapurna Bhandar initiative will verify beneficiaries. This program plans to boost monthly support to ₹3,000 for women. He pointed to past irregularities in the earlier cash assistance scheme as a reason for stricter checks. Reports indicate several people have already been detained for trying to fraudulently claim benefits from the previous initiative.
Adhikari reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rooting out illegal practices in the community. He also confirmed that the rollout of Annapurna Bhandar benefits will start soon, showing a renewed focus on improving welfare programs in the state.
