Swachh Bharat Abhiyan scam: 9 spend ₹54,000 meant for building toilets on household expenses

Mumbai city news: The scam came to light a week ago, when civic officials went to the houses of everyone who had applied for funds under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Nine Bhiwandi residents were booked for cheating the government of Rs54,000, which they were given in 2015 to build toilets as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiative.

The men have been booked and will be arrested soon, said police. (Photo for representation)

The accused, Rajita Bhimarthi,24, Sudarshan Jakkani, 48, Anjana Dayawat, 68, Jyoti Chavan, 27, Shrikrishna Jha, 43, Ballya Gundu, 70, Achelal Kanojiya,27, Rajendra Gawhane, 43, and Nannehalal Gupta, 37, will soon be arrested, said police.

Police said the state gave each of the accused Rs6,000 after they said they needed to money to build toilets in their homes. However, they spent the money on household expenses instead.

The scam came to light a week ago, when Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation officials went to the houses of everyone who had applied for funds under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. They discovered that the accused had not even started construction work. Officials then lodged a complaint against the nine residents.

Sources said anyone who applies for funds under this scheme gets Rs6,000. Once work starts, the central government gives them more funds.

“These men have cheated the government. We booked them under section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code,” said Suresh Jadhav, senior inspector from Narpoli police station.