Lately, West Bengal seems to grab headlines for scandals that showcase the eroding culture of the state. Under the TMC regime, the state suffers from acute poverty and numerous forms of Islamification. Additionally, the state suffers from gruesome murder cover-ups like those at RG Kar Hospital and the political violence against BJP Karyakatas.
Lately, the state is witnessing a string of scams that have exposed cracks in the ‘Bengal Governance Model’! From cash seizures in a sprawling lottery loot to scams in funds meant for students. West Bengal appears trapped in a cycle of corruption that robs its citizens of progress and prosperity. Is this the Bengali dream of development being buried under the weight of its own scams? Let’s unlock!
₹3 Crore Seized in Lottery Loot Scam: A Symptom of a Deeper Malaise
#WATCH | West Bengal: The Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids in connection with a lottery scam. ED is investigating the alleged financial fraud of the lottery and the corruption case involving money laundering through lottery tickets to certain influential people.
ED… pic.twitter.com/XryVzNjmhc
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
The ED is making rounds of raids in West Bengal. The Mamata Banerjee administration has once again found itself in the spotlight: not for development or progress, but for yet another alleged scam!
Kolkata, West Bengal: Second day of ED searches in Kolkata city.
Yesterday, the ED raided 26, Kavi Bharati Sarani in South Kolkata. The ED's investigation into the lottery corruption case continues for the second day today. Sources have informed that today the ED team has also… pic.twitter.com/aKcrEgfVt4
— IANS (@ians_india) November 15, 2024
Recently, the ED seized approximately ₹3 crore in cash from a Kolkata residence during its investigation into a high-profile lottery scam.
He is Santiago Martin. He is also Known as Lottery King.
His company is the sole distributor of ‘Dear Lottery (West Bengal Lottery).
TMC Leader Anubroto Mondal and his daughter won 5 lotteries 3 Years (Highest Being 1 crore)
Lakhs of people buy lotteries in Bengal but TMC… pic.twitter.com/0k6X4C4LD2
— Rohit (@Iam_Rohit_G) March 15, 2024
According to officials, the operation revealed a sophisticated network running from Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, where lottery tickets were printed and distributed. The building doubles as an office and godown. But it is a hub for the alleged fraud. Shockingly, the scam appears to stretch beyond West Bengal, with links to Tamil Nadu and Sikkim.
Reports state that assets worth ₹277 crore have already been attached by the ED in the Lottery Loot Scam!
The question that looms large is: who are the “influential people” allegedly involved, and why do such scams seem to thrive under the TMC government?
The Tab Scam: A Betrayal of Bengal’s Future?
#WATCH | Siliguri: On alleged ‘Tab Scam’ in West Bengal, BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh says, "I don't think there is any point to say that it is a controversy. It is quite natural that in any circumstances, at any point in time, corruption is the only static thing in West Bengal. Tab is… pic.twitter.com/HAthKbvppY
— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2024
While the lottery scam dominated headlines, another fraud is set to devastate Bengal’s students. The Tab Scam deprives thousands of students of their promised ₹10,000!
Under the Taruner Swapna scheme, launched in 2022 by CM Mamata, ₹10,000 was promised to higher secondary students for purchasing tablets or smartphones.
This freebie was promised to the youngsters of West Bengal under the guise of bridging the digital divide in Bharat. However, reports state that for over 1,911 students across 15 districts, this dream turned into a nightmare. Despite being a direct benefit scheme designed to eliminate intermediaries, funds were fraudulently siphoned.
#WestBengal CM #MamataBanerjee issues statement on ‘tab scam’ says SIT has been constituted, administration will take next course of action.
This kind of hacking has taken place earlier in Maharashtra as well as other states. Police is investigating & administration is rough &… pic.twitter.com/2AH18OfUFG
— Pooja Mehta (@pooja_news) November 15, 2024
Allegedly, someone hacked into the state education department’s portal and looted CM Mamata’s coffers!
#Breaking| West Bengal Police forms Joint Investigation Monitoring Team comprising ADG CID (2), ADG cyber and other senior officers to probe Tab money scam case. So far 93 cases have been registered and 11 persons were arrested. As of now 1911 students have reported missing tab… pic.twitter.com/GdT9tPV5Wa
— Piyali Mitra (@Plchakraborty) November 15, 2024
With 93 FIRs registered and 11 arrests made, the scale of the scam raises serious concerns about the administration’s capability to safeguard public money. CM Mamata assures citizens that her government is “strong, rough, and tough.” And she states that culprits will soon be punished. However, the formation of a Joint Investigation Monitoring Team seems like too little, too late for the affected students.
Poverty and Corruption: The Unending Cycle
West Bengal govt's ambitious initiative to provide learning tablets to students hits a roadblock amid allegations of a major scam#WestBengal #BengalPolitics pic.twitter.com/wXBMGK2ynr
— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 15, 2024
West Bengal’s chronic poverty remains a sore point, despite the government pouring resources into schemes meant to uplift its people. The recurring scams, from PWS money to Recritment Scams to Lottery Lot, raise a critical question: where is the money going?
These scandals erode public trust and rob Bengal of opportunities for genuine progress.
West Bengal Lotteries Regulation on Payment of Charge for Draws, Rules 2011
REMEMBER ??
How many of you remember this amendment brought about by #MamataBanerjee to lottery laws immediately after assuming power ?
The New Law came into effect from July 2011
What was there pic.twitter.com/Jmy2Ah0uKi
— Sanjukta Choudhury (@SanjuktaChoudh5) November 15, 2024
The TMC government claims to champion the poor and marginalized, however, funds are siphoned off right under its noses! With 5 TMC leaders winning crores through the Lottery Loot Scam, many wonder if the Lottery is another money laundering scheme of the TMC! “Hacking” resulting in loss of money in Tab Scam allegedly points to the involvement of influential individuals in scams telling a different story.
Who Will Break The Cycle In West Bengal?
TMC received ₹ 542 Crore from Future Gaming in the form of Electoral Bonds! The very same Future Gaming is the sole owner of ‘Dear Lottery.’ This ‘Dear Lottery’ prints the ticket for the Lottery Loot Scam where TMC leaders are more lucky than the common man! As Bengal’s woes continue to multiply, the spotlight is firmly on Mamata Banerjee’s administration.
Thus, Strong rhetoric and “special teams” may not suffice anymore, the people of Bengal deserve answers and accountability from the TMC. When will Bengal see a government that prioritizes transparency over theatrics? And more importantly, when will the cycle of corruption end? Only time will tell!