TMC leader promises to return cut money, villagers blare reminders on loudspeakers

Villagers in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district have turned loudspeakers into a tool of public accountability after a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader promised to return "cut money" collected from beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by June 4. Through loudspeaker announcements across the village, residents are repeatedly reminding everyone, including the TMC leader, about the promised refund deadline.

"Cut money" refers to the unofficial commission allegedly demanded by local politicians or intermediaries in West Bengal to facilitate approval or release of government welfare benefits and development funds.

The announcements on returning "cut money" to the villagers were made across Booth No 173 at the Ghughumari Gram Panchayat in Cooch Behar South, days after residents staged a protest outside the home of TMC panchayat member Jyotsna Barman.

The villagers alleged that beneficiaries of the housing scheme were forced to pay commissions ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 to secure benefits and avoid delays in future instalments. They claimed that many families paid the extortion money out of fear during the previous TMC regime.

Apart from loudspeakers, the villagers also staged marches with placards, reminding Barman of her promise to return the "cut money" to them by June 4.

The issue came to the fore days after the BJP ended the TMC's 15-year-rule and won 207 seats in the Assembly polls. Since the change of guard, the villagers have launched protests demanding that their extorted money be returned.

According to local sources, the agitation was called off after Barman and other local leaders assured villagers that all the money would be refunded by June 4. To ensure the promise is not forgotten, residents have begun broadcasting the deadline through loudspeakers across the area, turning the village's public address system into a daily reminder of the commitment.

The villagers said they would keep a close watch on whether the promised "cut money" refunds are made by June 4 and warned of fresh protests if the deadline is missed.

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