Congress GP member accused of collecting Rs 5,000 for PM Awas

Malda, Sept. 24 -- A Congress Panchayat member has been accused of distributing fake forms and allegedly collecting Rs 5,000 from villagers by promising them houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

The allegation has triggered a political controversy in Mahendrapur under Harishchandrapur-I block in Malda.

The accused, Ranjan Swarnakar, a Congress panchayat member, allegedly visited beneficiaries' homes, handed them forms and demanded Rs 5,000.

Villagers claimed they were threatened that their names would be removed from the housing scheme if the money

was not paid.

Videos purportedly showing the distribution of forms and demands for money have surfaced on social media.

Several residents have also alleged that similar amounts were collected from multiple households. A written complaint has reportedly been lodged at Harishchandrapur police station.

Complainant Lata Das alleged: "He came to our house with a form and demanded Rs 5,000, saying the money was necessary for getting the housing benefit."

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.