Sun Feb 22 20:10:00 UTC 2026: ### Rajasthan Government Scheme Scam Unveiled: Millions Embezzled in Elaborate “Cyber Sarkar” Operation

The Story:
A massive scam involving the misappropriation of millions of rupees from government schemes in Rajasthan has been exposed, revealing a sophisticated network dubbed a “cyber sarkar.” The operation, primarily targeting the Centre’s PM-Kisan scheme, the state’s pension program, and compensation for crop loss, involved field agents, government officials, and e-mitra operators. Investigations have led to the arrest of 51 individuals, including a key official from PM-Kisan’s Rajasthan nodal office, Mohammad Laiq, and the seizure of assets worth over Rs 3 crore.

The scam involved exploiting loopholes in eligibility criteria, fabricating documents, and manipulating data on government portals. Ineligible individuals were registered, inactive accounts were targeted, and sensitive data of around 99 lakh people was compromised. The Special Operations Group of the state police is now handling the investigation, uncovering misappropriation of at least Rs 14.81 crore in the PM-Kisan scheme, Rs 3.62 crore under the Rajasthan Disaster Management Information System (DMIS), and a similar amount illegally claimed under the Rajasthan pension scheme in Jhalawar alone.

Key Points:

  • The scam targeted the PM-Kisan scheme, Rajasthan Social Security Pension Scheme (RajSSP), and Disaster Management Information System (DMIS).
  • Over 51 arrests have been made, including government officials, e-mitra operators, and field agents.
  • Investigators have seized electronic devices, luxury vehicles, and cash worth more than Rs 3 crore.
  • At least Rs 14.81 crore was misappropriated in the PM-Kisan scheme.
  • Sensitive data of around 99 lakh people has been compromised.
  • The “cyber sarkar” exploited loopholes in eligibility criteria and manipulated data on government portals.
  • The investigation was triggered by a whistleblower.
  • Ramavtar Saini, a former sugarcane juice seller, was identified as one of the masterminds.

Key Takeaways:

  • Government schemes are vulnerable to exploitation due to lax eligibility criteria and inadequate verification processes.
  • The involvement of government officials and e-mitra operators highlights the importance of internal controls and oversight.
  • The scale of the scam underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access to government portals.
  • Whistleblower mechanisms are crucial for detecting and reporting fraud in government programs.
  • The recovery of misappropriated funds and prosecution of those involved are essential to deter future fraudulent activities.

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