Cuttack: Strangers deposited as much as `5 lakh in the bank accounts of 13 Self-Help Group (SHG) members at Mutarifa Padmapur.
The matter came to light after members of the SHG, Sayongshree Micro Credit Services, approached Jagatpur police Wednesday and lodged a complaint in this regard.
According to complaints lodged with police, `20,000 to `30,000 was deposited in each bank account of 13 members and was withdrawn subsequently without their knowledge.
Sources said, the SHG members had opened zero-balance accounts under Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojana at Gopinathpur State Bank of India branch. Recently, the members visited the bank to update their passbooks and were in for a shock to discover that strange people had deposited up to `25,000 to `30,000 in each of their accounts. Surprisingly enough, some unknown entities had also withdrawn money without their knowledge.
The women suspected that a racket was operating to convert black-money into white in the district. They also could not rule out the complicity of some bank employees in the murky affair. “We are not alone to benefit temporarily. After the Centre’s note-ban announcement, huge cash was deposited in the bank accounts of SHG members and money was also withdrawn subsequently to turn blackmoney into white,” they alleged.
“The sudden appearance and disappearance of huge cash in our accounts raised questions over the safety of bank deposits. Cash cannot be deposited and withdrawn several times without the knowledge of bank staff,” suggested Jayashree Nayak.
Manjulata Sahu, another member, said, “It clearly indicates that Jan Dhan accounts were used to turn blackmoney into white. We unearthed the scam when we went to the bank to update our passbooks. Such frauds were carried out in Salipur and adjoining branches. A high-level probe should be instituted into the matter.”
When contactd, Gopinathpur SBI branch manager Surendra Sabar said, “We inquired into it after receiving complaints from women SHGs. We informed the authorities about the matter.”
Deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora said, “We have questioned the bank manager on the basis of complaints. An investigation is underway and action will be taken accordingly.”
Post News Network
