JIND: Thousands of women have been cheated here by some photo-state shops which tricked them into buying forms of a fictitious government-run welfare scheme providing a financial aid of Rs two lakh for girl child.
The incident came to light after district authorities witnessed women thronging post offices to send their forms to the Ministry of Women and Child Development via speed-post. In the last two days, thousands of women have sent such false forms to the ministry after believing in rumours that the government was providing Rs two lakh for the welfare of girls.
Interestingly, these forms are said to be distributed among women by Anganwadi Centres (AWC) and councillors of the areas. The forms are dully attested by councillors. Several women, who purchased the forms from photo-state shops for at least Rs 10 and spent another Rs 100 or Rs 200 to get them properly filled, were left dejected after officials told them that there was no such scheme by the central or state government.
Meanwhile, Women and Child Development officer Kiran Paruthi said that action would be initiated against guilty photo-state shops and people who tricked women to buy these fictitious forms. She has also appealed to the people to inform the department if they noticed any shops selling such forms.