A fresh political controversy has erupted in West Bengal over the distribution of relief funds meant for victims of Cyclone Amphan, with allegations of large-scale irregularities and possible misuse of public money. A detailed complaint filed with the police has claimed that discrepancies in beneficiary records may have resulted in the wrongful disbursement of hundreds of crores of rupees intended for disaster-affected families.
Seventeen-Page Police Briefings and Local Constituency Audits
The controversy surfaced after BJP leader Abhijit Das Bobby submitted a 17-page complaint at Bishnupur police station in the Diamond Harbour region. The complaint seeks an investigation into the alleged role of several government officials and Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee in the distribution of cyclone relief funds. The complainant has alleged that multiple beneficiaries were linked to identical mobile numbers, banking details, and other records, raising questions about the integrity of the relief distribution process.
According to Bobby, documents and data collected from different parts of the Diamond Harbour parliamentary constituency indicate possible irregularities involving approximately ₹238 crore in relief payments. The complaint specifically highlights two blocks in the Bishnupur area, where nearly ₹57.86 crore was reportedly distributed among around 57,000 beneficiaries.
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Contact Profile Replications and Direct Cash Verification Gaps
The complaint further alleges that official relief records contain numerous instances in which a single mobile number was associated with multiple beneficiaries. In one example cited in the complaint, as many as 14 individuals were allegedly linked to the same contact number while receiving relief assistance. Several other mobile numbers were reportedly connected to six to nine beneficiaries each. The complainant argues that such patterns raise serious concerns regarding transparency, verification procedures, and the possibility of fraudulent claims.
Cyclone Amphan, which struck West Bengal in May 2020, caused widespread devastation across several districts, damaging homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. In response, the state government announced a special relief and rehabilitation package worth ₹6,250 crore. The central government also sanctioned ₹3,077 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund to support relief and recovery efforts. The objective of the programme was to ensure direct financial assistance to affected families through bank transfers.
Under the relief framework, households whose homes were completely destroyed were eligible for ₹20,000, while those with partially damaged houses were entitled to ₹5,000. However, the complaint alleges that in certain cases the funds may not have reached genuine beneficiaries and were instead credited to individuals who were not entitled to receive the assistance.
Special Investigation Demands and Administrative Approval Scrutinies
Seeking a comprehensive inquiry, the complainant has called for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), a forensic audit of the expenditure, and a separate investigation into the alleged financial irregularities. He has also urged authorities to examine whether any systemic weaknesses were exploited during the relief distribution exercise.
Another key allegation relates to records in which the name of Abhishek Banerjee or his office reportedly appeared in the “Recommended By” column of a large number of approved beneficiary entries. The complainant has argued that an independent investigation is necessary to determine whether any influence was exercised during the approval process or whether established administrative procedures were bypassed.
Defamation Defenses and Regulatory Recovery Risks
On the other hand, sources associated with the Trinamool Congress have rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and baseless. Party representatives have maintained that the accusations lack factual foundation and are part of an attempt to target political opponents. They have indicated that any allegations will be challenged through appropriate legal channels.
With the complaint now formally lodged, the issue has once again brought the distribution of Amphan relief funds under public scrutiny. If authorities decide to initiate a detailed investigation, several decisions, records, and administrative processes linked to the post-cyclone relief programme could come under renewed examination. The case is likely to remain a significant political and administrative issue in the coming weeks as competing narratives continue to emerge around one of the state’s largest disaster-relief operations.
