In a recent incident in Chhattisgarh, a man named Virendra Joshi allegedly exploited the state’s Mahtari Vandan Yojana by registering an account under the name of Bollywood actress Sunny Leone. This scheme, launched in March 2024, provides Rs 1,000 monthly to married women to promote women’s empowerment.
According to a report, the BJP government’s scheme provides Rs 1,000 per month to married women in the state. The fraud was uncovered in Talur village, Bastar district. District Collector Haris S has ordered an investigation and the seizure of the bank account. Officials revealed that media reports exposed the fraud.
Joshi, a resident of Talur village in Bastar district, reportedly created an online bank account in Sunny Leone’s name and had been receiving the monthly payments since the scheme’s inception. The fraud came to light when officials noticed the unusual beneficiary name during a routine audit. An FIR has been lodged against Joshi, and authorities are investigating how the fraudulent registration bypassed the verification process.
The incident has sparked political controversy, with the opposition Congress party alleging widespread corruption in the scheme. State Congress chief Deepak Baij claimed that over 50% of the beneficiaries under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana are fake. In response, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao defended the program, stating that the Congress is upset because women are now receiving assistance they didn’t receive during the Congress’s previous term.
What is Chhattisgarh’s Mahtari Vandan Yojana
Chhattisgarh’s Mahtari Vandan Yojana is a welfare scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to eligible married women. Under this scheme, beneficiaries receive Rs 1,000 per month.
To qualify for the scheme, the following conditions must be met:
1. Personal bank account: The woman must have her own bank account, as joint accounts are not accepted under the program.
2. Aadhaar card and mobile number: The Aadhaar card and a mobile number registered with the bank account are mandatory.
3. Account requirements: The Aadhaar card must be linked to the woman’s bank account, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) should be activated to receive the monthly payments.
By ensuring these requirements are fulfilled, eligible women can seamlessly access the financial benefits provided under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana.
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