A former Trinamool Congress panchayat head in Cooch Behar’s Maruganj area has allegedly returned money collected from 45 villagers, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin. The alleged payments were linked to access to housing assistance and 100-day employment job cards, but the central video cited as evidence has not been independently verified.
The report identifies the former panchayat head as Tapan Kumar Ray. It says a video circulating on social media shows Ray handing money back to villagers in the presence of local Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. Sangbad Pratidin has expressly stated that it has not verified the authenticity of the video.
According to the report, villagers were allegedly asked to pay between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000. The alleged demands were made in connection with securing housing under a government housing programme or obtaining access to work through 100-day employment job cards. The report does not provide documentary records, written complaints or official findings confirming the alleged collections.
The episode places the focus on how welfare benefits are accessed at the local level. Housing assistance and employment programmes are intended to reach eligible households through established administrative processes. Allegations that applicants had to make payments to access such benefits, if established, would raise questions about local implementation, beneficiary selection and the ability of residents to report coercion without political protection.
The report also cites allegations by BJP leaders that Ray was not acting alone and that the vice-chairperson of the Maruganj panchayat samiti, who is also described as a Trinamool Congress district general secretary, was involved. These allegations have not been independently substantiated in the supplied material. No response from the Trinamool Congress was available to the publication at the time of reporting.
The chairperson of the Tufanganj panchayat samiti is quoted as saying that pressure had been applied for some time to return the alleged payments after the matter came to light. The supplied report does not identify the authority that conducted any inquiry, state whether a police complaint was filed, or clarify whether the alleged beneficiaries received official confirmation of their eligibility and entitlements.
The incident follows reports from other parts of West Bengal in which political workers were alleged to have returned money collected from residents. The present account, however, does not establish whether the Maruganj case forms part of a formal investigation or whether any administrative or legal action has been initiated.
Until the video is authenticated and supported by statements from the alleged beneficiaries, relevant panchayat authorities, government departments or law-enforcement agencies, the claims should be treated as allegations rather than established facts. Further reporting would need to confirm the identities of the beneficiaries, the amounts allegedly returned, the original payment demands and any official action arising from the matter.
