Punished For Not Paying Bribe To Panchayat Official, 19-Year-Old Bengal Girl Denied Welfare Scheme

Kolkata: In a shocking incident, a class XI student was denied benefits of West Bengal government's scheme Kanyashree as she reportedly refused to pay cut money in Malda district. Her form was canceled after a state government official stated that she was married according to government records. In a bid to rectify error, girl went to Panchayat and Block offices for almost one and a half years to no avail.

matter came to light after she eventually filed a written complaint with Block Development Office (BDO). Copies of complaint have also been sent to Ratua Police Station, District Magistrate and Sub Divisional Magistrate. After receiving complaint, BDO has also come under investigation, according to our sources

girl, identified as Sultana Parveen, is a student in mrasa in Malda district's Ratua village. After she crossed 18 one and half years back, girl's family h applied for Kanyashree, a scheme aimed at improving status of olescent girls from impoverished families via small cash transfers. Mamata Banerjee's scheme h won praises across world and also received UN award in 2017.

After her form was sent to Panchayat office, an official h allegedly asked money from Sultana's family for forwarding her request to Block Development Office. According to complaint, her application was cancelled after her family refused to pay money.

According to local reports, when mrasa authorities reached out to local BDO office, officials have launched a probe against Panchayat official. BDO has said that appropriate action would be taken against Panchayat official if complaint turns out to be true.