The Kamtapuri Sangrami Samaj has sought an investigation into alleged irregularities under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Cooch Behar’s Mathabhanga subdivision, claiming that details of around 450 prospective beneficiaries were used to access housing benefits illegally.
The organisation submitted a four-point memorandum at the district magistrate’s office in Cooch Behar on Friday. The memorandum was addressed to the chief minister and Suvendu Adhikari and is to be sent through the district magistrate, according to the report by Telegraph India – West Bengal.
Kangsaraj Barman, president of the Kamtapuri Sangrami Samaj, said the organisation wanted the alleged misuse of beneficiary details to be investigated and the people responsible identified. He also referred to the possible misuse of job card numbers and called for an impartial inquiry so that housing-scheme benefits reach genuine beneficiaries.
The demand places beneficiary verification and local administration at the centre of the dispute. The organisation has not provided details in the supplied report about the names of the alleged beneficiaries, the amount of money involved, the officials or intermediaries suspected of wrongdoing, or whether any government agency has already begun an inquiry. No response from the district administration or the state government was reported.
The housing demand was one of four issues raised by the organisation. Its primary demand is the introduction of Kamtapuri as the medium of instruction in every primary school across the eight districts of north Bengal, along with the recruitment of teachers qualified to teach the language.
The organisation also sought employment opportunities for people it said were affected by steps taken by the Left Front government against members of the community. Its fourth demand was punishment for those accused of atrocities against women. Barman said the memorandum was intended to secure recognition and promotion of the Kamtapuri language, improve the socio-economic conditions of disadvantaged communities and ensure impartial investigations into various allegations.
Members of the association said the state government should act without delay on language, education, employment and women’s safety. The memorandum therefore combines a specific demand for scrutiny of housing-scheme records with wider claims about access to public services and livelihood opportunities.
For the housing allegation to move beyond a political and community memorandum, the next steps would include verification of the beneficiary records, examination of any linked job card details and a formal response from the district administration. The report does not state whether such an inquiry has been ordered or whether any person has been charged in connection with the alleged irregularities.
