The Bihar government has sparked a major controversy by issuing recovery notices to several men in Darbhanga district, demanding they return Rs 10,000 that was "mistakenly transferred" to their bank accounts. The funds were intended exclusively for women entrepreneurs under a state scheme launched just before the recent assembly elections.
Political Allegations of Fraudulent Disbursal
Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief and former minister Mukesh Sahani has leveled serious allegations against the state government. On Wednesday, he claimed the fraudulent disbursal of government funds was a tactic to "get votes" during the polls. He asserted that if a thorough investigation is conducted into the distribution of the Rs 10,000 aid to women on the eve of elections, a massive scam would be uncovered.
"At least 80% of the money was distributed fraudulently among the people to get votes. It was also given to men. But now the govt is asking the villagers to return the money," Sahani alleged. He further demanded, "If the govt is asking for the money back, it should also return the votes it received from the villagers and order fresh elections in the state."
The Recovery Notices and the Scheme
The notices were sent to men from Ahiyari village under Jale block in Darbhanga district. The government stated the transfer occurred due to "technical problems" and has provided the account numbers where the amount must be deposited. This money was part of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, a scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2023. The initiative aimed to credit Rs 10,000 into the bank accounts of over one crore women entrepreneurs across Bihar.
Sahani's Broader Accusations and Threat of Protest
Expanding his attack, Sahani, who was the opposition's projected deputy chief minister face, claimed the people of Bihar had decided to change the government. However, he alleged the ruling dispensation distributed money worth Rs 20,000 crore under various heads to sway voters. "Now they are demanding the money back from the poor," he said.
The VIP chief issued an ultimatum, stating that his party would hold protests in the coming days if the full sum of Rs 2 lakh is not distributed among the women entrepreneurs as originally promised, implying the current aid was insufficient.
The incident has put the Bihar government on the defensive, raising questions about the implementation of welfare schemes and the alleged use of public funds for electoral gain. The demand for a probe and the recovery notices have created a new political flashpoint in the state.
