BJP protests over alleged corruption in housing scheme at TMC-led panchayat

On Monday, BJP workers held a protest outside the Shanka Gram Panchayat in Raghunathpur Block One, alleging widespread corruption in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The protest was led by BJP’s women workers, who carried brooms as a symbolic gesture against alleged malpractices in the housing scheme. Tensions escalated when BJP supporters attempted to forcefully enter the Panchayat office, resulting in a scuffle with the police, and the situation grew increasingly charged with both sides clashing.

BJP leaders accused the TMC-led administration of manipulating the PMAY beneficiary list. They claimed that names of ineligible individuals had been included, while deserving applicants had been excluded. The party argued that some individuals with vehicles were included in the list, while others, particularly those living in mud houses, were not. BJP representatives presented a deputation to the Panchayat head, requesting an immediate review of the list and a fresh survey to ensure that genuinely needy and deserving applicants were included in the PMAY.

In response, Suparna Bandopadhyay, the Gram Panchayat head, dismissed the allegations as baseless. She explained that the PMAY survey was conducted by the Block Development Officer (BDO), not the Panchayat office, and emphasized that neither she nor her team had any involvement in the alleged irregularities. "The survey was conducted impartially by the BDO. There is no evidence to support these accusations," Bandopadhyay stated, rejecting the claims of corruption and favoritism.

The protest at Shanka Gram Panchayat has raised concerns over transparency and fairness in the distribution of government welfare schemes. The BJP has demanded a full review of the PMAY list to ensure that only eligible and impoverished individuals benefit from the housing scheme. The TMC-led Panchayat, on the other hand, has maintained that all procedures were followed according to the guidelines and that the allegations are politically motivated. The BJP has vowed to continue its efforts to highlight what it calls "irregularities" until their demands for a new survey and reassessment of the list are met.