Darbhanga (Bihar)

Officials of the Bihar government are facing difficulties in recovering Rs 10,000 allegedly credited to male villagers under a cash-transfer scheme meant exclusively for women in the state's Darbhanga district.

A group of male villagers whose bank accounts received Rs 10,000 each have already spent the money, some during Chhath Puja and Diwali, while others purchased ducks and goats and are now unwilling or unable to return the amount.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana on September 26, ahead of the Assembly elections, under which Rs 10,000 was transferred to the bank accounts of around 1.40 crore women entrepreneurs.

However, officials of Jeevika, a state government initiative for poverty alleviation which is implementing the Yojana, said the amount was mistakenly credited to the accounts of some men due to "technical glitches" at Ahiyari village in the district's Jale Assembly constituency.

Notices have been issued to at least three male villagers by the block project director of Jeevika, asking them to return the Rs 10,000 transferred to their accounts.

The recipients, who have been identified as Nagendra Ram, Balram Sahni and Ram Sagar Kumar, are disabled and economically poor.

They told reporters that several others have also received similar notices.

Talking to PTI, Bihar Rural Development Minister Sharwan Kumar told PTI on Wednesday, "I have asked Jeevika officials to submit a detailed report of such transfers, if any, to me at the earliest. It's a matter of concern". Jeevika scheme comes under the rural development department.

Talking to reporters, Nagendra Ram said, "I did not apply for the amount. The government transferred Rs 10,000 to my account. I am a disabled person, so I spent it during Chhath Puja and Diwali."

"Some others purchased goats and ducks. Now, we are getting notices to return the money. Where will I get it from? I request Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other officials to forgive us and waive the amount," he said.

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The incident raises serious questions about the implementation and payment mechanisms of government schemes, and there is widespread confusion and resentment among villagers over the issue.

It may be recalled that opposition RJD recently alleged that the NDA leaders were in such a hurry to 'buy votes' and come to power through bribery that they transferred Rs 10,000 to the bank accounts of some men instead of transferring it to women.