West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Announces Free Bus Travel for Women, Orders SIT Probe into Alleged Lakshmir Bhandar Fraud

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the launch of free travel services for women in state-run buses, fulfilling a key promise made in the BJP's election manifesto. Addressing the media, the Chief Minister also highlighted the expansion of the Annapurna Yojana, stating that online registration facilities have now been introduced to make the scheme more accessible.

Adhikari said that senior officials at the Principal Secretary level have been deployed across districts to monitor implementation and ensure transparency. He further alleged that several irregularities had been detected in welfare schemes, particularly in Lakshmir Bhandar, where investigations reportedly found instances of male beneficiaries receiving funds intended for women.

Citing findings from Behrampore Police Station jurisdiction, the Chief Minister claimed that 22 fraudulent accounts had been identified and directed law enforcement agencies to accelerate investigations. He alleged that ineligible beneficiaries, including illegal immigrants and certain political leaders, had misused government welfare funds.

The Chief Minister announced that he has instructed the Director General of Police to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. Cases involving financial irregularities will also be examined under money laundering provisions, according to the government.

Adhikari further claimed that preliminary estimates suggest nearly 30 lakh fraudulent beneficiary accounts may have withdrawn funds from various welfare schemes. He assured that strict legal action would be taken against those found guilty while urging citizens and BJP workers not to take the law into their own hands and instead trust the legal process.