Bengal govt brings out new security guidelines to protect 'Kanyashree' amid tablet scam

A huge corruption case has emerged involving the ‘Taruner Swapno’ (Youth’s Dream) project, which allocated funds for providing tablets to students in Classes XI and XII. The project, which was meant to empower students with digital tools for education, became the center of a major scam. The fraud, which started in Chopra, North Dinajpur, has now spread across the state. The district police, along with Kolkata Police, have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. As of now, 21 individuals have been arrested in connection with the scam. The SIT is actively investigating the individuals involved in the misappropriation of funds designated for the tablets.

In response to this ongoing issue, the state government has introduced a set of six security guidelines to protect the integrity of another major government program, the ‘Kanyashree’ scheme. This program provides financial support to girls across the state. The newly introduced guidelines are aimed at ensuring the proper functioning and security of the scheme’s operations, especially concerning the handling of funds and sensitive data. The guidelines are clear in stating that all relevant stakeholders must comply with these new protocols.

Key components of the new guidelines include resetting passwords for all accounts associated with government schemes. Additionally, all software on devices connected to these accounts must be updated to the latest versions to ensure security. Any computer that is found to be infected with viruses will be excluded from use. The guidelines further mandate the installation of essential security tools such as firewalls, antivirus software, anti-ransomware, anti-malware, and anti-exploit protection on all relevant systems. Regular scans of systems must be conducted to detect any vulnerabilities or issues.

The guidelines also emphasize that sensitive documents and information should not be saved on web platforms or email accounts. In addition, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of these guidelines and ensuring compliance. These measures are part of the state government’s broader strategy to prevent corruption, safeguard public welfare funds, and ensure transparency and security across its various schemes. The government has stressed that the new guidelines are critical in preventing the recurrence of such fraudulent activities in the future.