A student named Rikita Chowdhury from Hardamnagar, Harishchandrapur 2nd block of Malda district filed a written complaint with the police station and block administration after her Kanyashree money (Tk 25,000) went into the account of a fish merchant named Deven Mahaldar.
Despite efforts to retrieve the money, the fishmonger refused to return it. The incident has raised questions about the Kanyashree project, which is a flagship initiative of the West Bengal government aimed at supporting the education of girl students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The BJP has alleged that brokers are active behind such incidents and are supported by the ruling Trinamool Congress party. However, the Trinamool has promised to investigate the matter and ensure that genuine beneficiaries receive their rightful money.
The incident is not the first time that genuine beneficiaries of government schemes have been deprived of their rightful entitlements.
The Kanyashree project has won accolades on the international stage and is seen as a crucial initiative for empowering young women from economically disadvantaged families.