28 Bardhaman students report missing tablet funds as protests erupt over unpaid grants

In Bardhaman, 28 students from CMS High School have reported that ₹10,000 each, allocated for purchasing government-funded tablets, has not been deposited into their accounts. This issue has surfaced amid ongoing protests in Murshidabad, where students are demanding the release of similar tablet funds that have not reached them. The situation has prompted school officials to take immediate action to address the concerns of the affected students and their families.

This academic year, a total of 412 students at CMS High School applied for the government tablet grant as part of an initiative aimed at enhancing digital education. Headmaster Mintu Ray confirmed that while the majority of students received their allocated funds, the accounts of the 28 affected students did not reflect the ₹10,000 payments intended for their tablets. The first notifications regarding the missing funds were received on October 21 and 22, when 17 students contacted the school to report that their payments had not been credited. In response to these inquiries, the school administration immediately informed the District Inspector (DI), the additional district magistrate for education, and the District Project Officer (DPO) about the issue.

Upon further investigation, affected students visited their banks to ascertain the status of the funds. They discovered that the money meant for their accounts had been erroneously transferred to various other accounts, including some in West Medinipur and other districts in West Bengal. Bank officials confirmed that the payments had been incorrectly allocated, leading to the confusion and disappointment among the affected students. Headmaster Ray stated that the school had verified and updated all students’ bank details prior to the disbursement, asserting that there were no administrative errors on the part of the school.

In light of these developments, the school administration has filed a formal complaint with the local cybercrime police, seeking an investigation into the matter. The complaint details the discrepancies in the fund disbursement process and requests that authorities identify the cause of the missing payments. Furthermore, the school is collaborating with the education department to ensure that the 28 students receive the financial support necessary to purchase their tablets.