SIT to probe fake accounts ofLakshmir Bhandar scheme: CM Suvendu

PTI, June 1, 2026, Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said he has asked the state police chief to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged fake beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar, a women’s cash transfer scheme of the previous TMC government.

A money laundering probe will also be conducted into the matter as it involves illegal cash transfers, he said at a press conference at the state secretariat. The Chief Minister also alleged that men had availed assistance under the scheme specifically meant for women during the TMC’s rule.

“Around 30 lakh Lakshmir Bhandar accounts are fake. I have asked the Director General of Police (DGP) to form an SIT to investigate the matter,” the Chief Minister said.

He said that since each beneficiary received ₹1,500 per month and a large number of fake accounts are involved, it implies that several thousand crores of taxpayers’ money may have been misappropriated.

The Chief Minister said that those raising questions over the 12-page verification form for the BJP government’s Annapurna Bhandar scheme, where financial assistance to a woman beneficiary would be increased to ₹3,000 per month, should take into account the irregularities noticed in the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.

Adhikari said some men have been arrested for obtaining benefits of the welfare scheme through false claims, and added: “We will crack down on these illegalities at the grassroots level.”

He said that those trying to spread rumours about the complexity of the Annapurna Yojana verification form were now themselves coming forward to fill it out. He added that only three of the 12 pages are required to be filled by applicants, and sought cooperation in the verification process as the government would be giving ₹36,000 per annum to each beneficiary.

Adhikari said online submission of forms began on Monday, while the offline process had started earlier. “We hope to transfer funds to beneficiaries under the scheme in large numbers on Wednesday,” he said, adding that an event would be held at Nabanna, the state administrative headquarters.

Referring to one Rakibul Hossain from Murshidabad district, who allegedly forged documents to receive benefits under Lakshmir Bhandar, Adhikari said 22 accounts were found where men were receiving benefits meant for women. He added that this number could increase and therefore the police investigation has been expanded.

“In addition to illegal immigrants, thousands of TMC leaders have looted the Lakshmir Bhandar,” the Chief Minister alleged.

He also said that in Jangipur block of Murshidabad district, around 3,000 false claimants had been identified. He cited other welfare schemes during the previous government and alleged irregularities in them as well.

Adhikari urged people, BJP workers, and supporters not to take the law into their own hands over government relief materials allegedly recovered from the offices of TMC councillors and other officials.