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"First return our votes" is what some men from Bihar's Dharbhanga have demanded after they received notices from the Bihar government asking them to return the amount of
₹10,000 which was credited into their account due to "technical glitch" before the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 were set to be held.
According to a report by the Times of India (TOI), Bihar government's Jeevika scheme officials sent the notice to refund the money to 14 male villagers of Dharbhanga district.
However, the villagers have refused to pay the amount back stating that the money was given in exchange of votes and now when the NDA has returned to power, it is building pressure on the farmers to recover the money.
Launching the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana on September 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had transferred
₹10,000 in the bank accounts of over 1.40 crore women in Bihar. The scheme launched just before the Bihar Assembly polls had reportedly played a significant role in wooing women voters in the elections, and has been credited as one of the important factors that led to the huge NDA victory.
'Money in exchange of votes. Accounts settled'
The men from the Ahiyari village in Jale block of Dharbhanga, have questioned why the government issued notice after three months of the transactions, stating that the "accounts are settled" now as the money was given in exchange of votes, further stating that they would not be able to return the money as they cannot arrange such a big amount.
"If the govt says the money was credited to our account by mistake, why didn't it send the notice immediately and why has it come after some three months?" Narendra Ram, a farm labourer, said, as per TOI.
"Our votes led to NDA victory, but once in power, the govt is exerting pressure on us to recover the money. We gave votes. The accounts are settled," he told TOI.
According to the report, Ram is physically challenged and has five children, and believed that the money was a form of financial aid in a similar manner that was given to the women. He stated that the money was spent during the festivities of Diwali and Chhath Puja.
"No question of returning the money... We are labourers and cannot arrange such a big amount," he added.
Similar sentiments were echoed by another villager Baliram Sahani, who voted for NDA after receiving the amount. He is landless and also physically challenged, and reportedly earns ₹300 per day by working as a labourer.
"Now when it has won elections, it is asking for money. The recovery notice came after two-and-a-half months. How can I pay back?" Sahani told TOI.
Women come in support, while some men return the money
According to a Jeevika official cited in the TOI report, who said that the money "got transferred by mistake", seven male villagers have returned the money.
However, the government's move is also being opposed by the women villagers who have come out in support of their men counterparts.
"If the government wants our money back, it should return our votes too," said women villager Pramila Devi, expressing anger over the move, as per TOI.
According to a report by the Times of India (TOI), Bihar government's Jeevika scheme officials sent the notice to refund the money to 14 male villagers of Dharbhanga district.
However, the villagers have refused to pay the amount back stating that the money was given in exchange of votes and now when the NDA has returned to power, it is building pressure on the farmers to recover the money.
Launching the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana on September 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had transferred
'Money in exchange of votes. Accounts settled'
The men from the Ahiyari village in Jale block of Dharbhanga, have questioned why the government issued notice after three months of the transactions, stating that the "accounts are settled" now as the money was given in exchange of votes, further stating that they would not be able to return the money as they cannot arrange such a big amount.
"If the govt says the money was credited to our account by mistake, why didn't it send the notice immediately and why has it come after some three months?" Narendra Ram, a farm labourer, said, as per TOI.
"Our votes led to NDA victory, but once in power, the govt is exerting pressure on us to recover the money. We gave votes. The accounts are settled," he told TOI.
According to the report, Ram is physically challenged and has five children, and believed that the money was a form of financial aid in a similar manner that was given to the women. He stated that the money was spent during the festivities of Diwali and Chhath Puja.
"No question of returning the money... We are labourers and cannot arrange such a big amount," he added.
Similar sentiments were echoed by another villager Baliram Sahani, who voted for NDA after receiving the amount. He is landless and also physically challenged, and reportedly earns ₹300 per day by working as a labourer.
"Now when it has won elections, it is asking for money. The recovery notice came after two-and-a-half months. How can I pay back?" Sahani told TOI.
Women come in support, while some men return the money
According to a Jeevika official cited in the TOI report, who said that the money "got transferred by mistake", seven male villagers have returned the money.
However, the government's move is also being opposed by the women villagers who have come out in support of their men counterparts.
"If the government wants our money back, it should return our votes too," said women villager Pramila Devi, expressing anger over the move, as per TOI.
