Fri Nov 15 03:58:06 UTC 2024: ## Tablet Scheme Fraud Rocks West Bengal: SITs Formed, Hundreds of Accounts Frozen
**Kolkata, November 15, 2024:** The West Bengal government’s ambitious ‘Taruner Swapno’ scheme, aimed at bridging the digital divide, has been rocked by widespread allegations of fraud. The scheme, which provides a one-time grant of Rs 10,000 to students for purchasing tablets and smartphones, has been plagued by claims of funds being diverted to unauthorized accounts.
Investigations have revealed that the scam appears to have targeted the scheme’s online portal, “Taruner Swapno,” through cyber cafes across the state. Funds have been traced to bank accounts both within and outside of West Bengal.
The Kolkata Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations following complaints from numerous schools in Kolkata and South 24 Parganas. In Malda, five FIRs have been registered and another SIT has been formed. The Malda police have frozen 181 bank accounts as part of their investigation.
Similar allegations have surfaced in Murshidabad, Paschim Bardhaman, and Uttar Dinajpur districts, leading to the arrest of over a dozen individuals and the seizure of hundreds of accounts.
The Education Minister, Bratya Basu, has assured that those responsible will be apprehended, comparing the fraud to a “one-time glitch” similar to the recent question paper leaks in state board exams. However, the opposition has criticized the government, highlighting a pattern of fraud in various schemes, including school and municipal recruitments, and the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The alleged fraud in the “Taruner Swapno” scheme has further tarnished the image of the West Bengal government, which is already facing criticism for its handling of multiple corruption scandals. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities determined to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore public confidence in the scheme.
First Piper 