West Bengal’s Taruner Swapno Scheme Fraud Prob

• An inter-State gang is involved in the fraud of direct benefit transfer of West Bengal’s Taruner Swapno scheme.

• Funds meant for students to buy tablets and smartphones have been transferred to other accounts.

• The gang may have embezzled funds from similar schemes in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand.

• 93 cases have been registered, 11 people arrested, and funds meant for 1,911 beneficiaries transferred to other accounts.

• Three persons were arrested from Purba Medinipur, two from Malda’s Baisnabnagar and one from Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district.

• The funds under the scheme were transferred to 16 lakh students, but 1,911 students have not received funds, which is about 0.1% of the total beneficiaries.

• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called the fraud an administrative issue and assured that all students who have not received the money will get their share.

• Speculations are rife that Chopra and Malda may have a direct link with the scam.