Ghaziabad: ‘NGO’ under probe for duping people in name of govt schemes

The NGO allegedly duped women by promising to provide facilities under Central government schemes

Around 50 women and their family members met Ghaziabad district administration officials on Thursday and submitted a written complaint against an ‘NGO’ for allegedly duping them of money by promising to provide facilities under schemes launched by the Central government.

A group of aggrieved women gave a written complaint to additional district magistrate Priti Jaiswal. (Peeyush Khandelwal/HT Photo)

The women from village Galand in neighbouring Hapur said the NGO had an office at Nandgram in Ghaziabad. The group has submitted related documents to additional district magistrate (ADM), city, Priti Jaiswal, who has ordered an inquiry in the matter.

“People from the NGO had come to our village and promised houses, medical facilities and money for girls of marriageable age. They said the scheme is floated by PM Modi and they have been authorised to enroll people for providing money. We paid Rs400 for forms and another Rs970 on some other accounts and were given a receipt,” said Lata Kumari, one of the group’s members.

“After we arrived at their (NGO’s) office, they threatened us and told us to approach the police. We went to the Nandgram police post where the NGO members threatened us in front of the police. Our complaint was not registered and our money is also not being returned,” said Savita, another woman.

“We went to the office of the NGO. They have kept bouncers and security persons who drive us away each time,” said Bunty, another woman from the group.

The group of women also submitted the receipts and other related documents to the ADM and complained about the alleged lax attitude shown by the Nandgram police post personnel.

“I have spoken to the superintendent of police to conduct an inquiry into the matter and into the activities of the police post personnel. The claims made by the NGO will now be inquired into in detail. In earlier instances too, we have found that many people have been duped by a gang of frauds in the name of providing relief under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme,” Jaiswal said.

According to officials, they have also come to know about some private organisations that are making money on the pretext of providing facilities and benefits to residents under Central government schemes and selling forms for the same.

“In one such instance, we identified around 80 people who were cheated. Legal action was initiated against the fraudsters. We suspect that a gang is behind this and is making money from residents on false promises,” she added.