Ambala, 14 November (R. Singh):- Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) state spokesperson Onkar Singh has expressed deep concern over the alleged financial exploitation of widows and corruption in the Haryana Government’s Dayalu Scheme financial assistance programme. He has urged Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to order an impartial investigation into the matter and simplify the scheme’s application process.
Issuing a statement here today, Onkar Singh said that the objective of the Dayalu Scheme is to provide financial assistance to families affected by the death of an earning member. In such cases, the government provides financial assistance ranging from Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh to widows, depending on their age. However, he said it was unfortunate that some Common Service Centre (CSC) operators were allegedly exploiting the helplessness of these women and misappropriating amounts ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh from the assistance provided.
He said that he had come across several such cases in Ambala Cantonment. He himself had dealt with a case in which a victim was allegedly subjected to financial fraud. He made every effort to get an FIR registered in the matter and even met the Superintendent of Police personally on three occasions, but no case had been registered so far. He alleged that victims were being denied justice because the individuals involved enjoyed political patronage.
Onkar Singh said, "What kind of system is this, where a helpless woman who has lost her husband is forced to seek help from others just to receive the government assistance she is rightfully entitled to? Thousands of rupees are allegedly siphoned off through corruption from the very funds that the government intends to provide as financial support to her family. This is not merely financial fraud but a mockery of the helplessness of a distressed and vulnerable woman."
Onkar Singh demanded that the Chief Minister order a high-level inquiry into the alleged illegal collections under the Dayalu Scheme and examine records of such cases across the state, including Ambala Cantonment. He also called for an investigation into CSC operators accused of deducting or misappropriating funds from the assistance, with strict legal action against those found guilty.
He further demanded that the application process for the Dayalu Scheme be made simple and transparent so that widows are not forced to visit CSC centres or depend on intermediaries. Information about the entire process, from application to payment, should be made available on their mobile phones. A grievance redressal mechanism should also be established in every district to ensure prompt action against anyone found involved in such practices.
