Bengal launches unique ID system to curb corruption in housing scheme fund distribution

The West Bengal government has introduced a comprehensive system to ensure the proper distribution of funds under the state’s housing scheme. Starting December 15, the government will issue a unique identification (ID) for each beneficiary to ensure that the housing scheme funds are transferred accurately and directly to the rightful recipient, preventing any potential misuse.

To implement this, the state will conduct verification camps at the Gram Panchayat level, where each beneficiary’s identity, bank account details, and other required documents will be verified. Beneficiaries will be asked to provide photocopies of their bank passbooks and cancelled cheques. Those whose mobile numbers are not linked to their Aadhaar will need to undergo biometric verification to ensure their details match the official records.

The finance department has mandated all relevant departments to validate beneficiary details through the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Reserve Bank of India’s systems. This validation process will check that the data provided by beneficiaries is accurate and that no fraudulent claims are made. The procedure is designed to ensure transparency and reduce the risk of corruption in the distribution of funds.

Additionally, a dedicated portal will be created to streamline the process of verification and fund transfer. Block Development Officer (BDO) offices have been instructed to adhere to the guidelines sent by the government, ensuring proper implementation of the new system. The verification process will also include the cross-checking of Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers and OTPs sent to the beneficiaries to authenticate their identities. Only beneficiaries who pass all the verification steps will have the housing scheme funds credited to their accounts.