The West Bengal government’s ‘Taruner Swapna’ scheme, which allocates Rs 10,000 to Class 10 and 11 students for tablets and other learning devices, is under scrutiny following widespread allegations of fund misappropriation across multiple districts. Issues include delays in fund disbursement, double payments, and misdirected deposits, raising serious concerns about administrative oversight.
The Kalimpong and Siliguri districts have seen significant irregularities, with 44 Kalimpong students and 28 Siliguri students reporting missing funds. Schools, including Juddhabir High School in Kalimpong and Krishna Maya Memorial Nepali High School in Siliguri, have filed formal complaints, prompting authorities to investigate. In Kalimpong, the district’s School Inspector, Ravindranath Mandal, confirmed the irregularities and promised a thorough investigation, though details remain undisclosed.
The situation intensified as arrests were made in Malda and North Dinajpur. Police detained three individuals from Chopra and another from Baishnabnagar, alleging involvement in diverting funds via fake identities. Rakesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) in Siliguri, highlighted a local bank’s potential involvement, with additional arrests anticipated as investigations progress.
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has requested an immediate report from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who recently visited Darjeeling. Meanwhile, Education Minister Bratya Basu stated that the National Informatics Centre (NIC) is evaluating the portal to identify potential security breaches and prevent further exploitation.
The case has raised broader questions about the effectiveness of fund distribution and the security of government portals. As calls for reform grow, school authorities and parents urge the government to enhance accountability measures and secure fund transfer processes to ensure students receive the intended benefits accurately.
