Over 4,800 Murshidabad students receive double tablet payment, Education Dept. struggles to retrieve excess funds

In Murshidabad, West Bengal, over 4,800 students across 11th and 12th grades have been mistakenly credited with double the amount of money allocated for purchasing tablets. Instead of receiving 10,000 rupees, each student’s account was credited with 20,000 rupees, resulting in a total overpayment of 4.84 crore rupees. Schools affected by this error include Noti High School, Amtala High School, Anandamani Girls' School, and several others in the district. While students have received the extra funds, they are unable to withdraw or use the money for the intended purpose of purchasing tablets due to bank restrictions.

The Education Department of West Bengal has quickly stepped in to address the issue. The department has formally requested the assistance of both local and regional bank authorities to help retrieve the excess funds. In an effort to resolve the issue, the Education Department has sent multiple letters to regional and local bank officials asking them to ensure the incorrect payments are reversed. The department is also coordinating with affected schools to ensure that students can access the correct amount of money once the error is fixed.

This overpayment incident is one part of a larger issue related to the disbursement of tablet funds in the state. While Murshidabad is dealing with the complication of receiving too much money, several other districts across West Bengal are experiencing the opposite problem. Students from numerous schools in these areas have reported not receiving any of the funds designated for tablet purchases. The disparity in the disbursement process has raised concerns about the efficiency and transparency of the fund transfer system.

The problem has not only affected students but also placed additional pressure on school authorities and bank officials. With over 4,800 students affected in Murshidabad alone, the Education Department is working to ensure that these funds are corrected and redistributed as quickly as possible. Schools involved in the error are now preparing to address both the financial discrepancies and the difficulties students face in accessing the funds. As the situation unfolds, the Education Department’s primary focus remains on resolving the overpayment and ensuring all students receive the correct amount for their tablet purchases.