Police bust fake welfare-office charging fee for govt schemes

The police in Sirsa district have exposed a fake office allegedly collecting fee from people applying for the government-welfare programmes. The office, claiming to be part of the Samadhan Gramin Welfare and Employment Services Limited, operating near the local bus stand targeted applicants of the Chief Minister’s Vivah Shagun Scheme and the Lado Scheme.

The authorities found a white SUV fitted with a blue beacon parked outside the office, reportedly used to impersonate government officials. During the raid, the police found four women inside the office, but could not locate any official registration documents. The staff claimed that the office was run by a man identified a Rammehar from Hisar, who posed as a government officer.

Inquiries with the Department of Social Welfare confirmed no record of such an office or official existed. The police seized all records and locked the office premises.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Rammehar, a resident of Hisar, set up the office to deceive applicants. People were reportedly being charged Rs 1,100 each to register for the welfare schemes. Rammehar allegedly misrepresented himself as a government official and used a vehicle with a blue beacon to create an impression of the authority. The police are attempting to contact applicants who may have paid fee and planning further action.

District Welfare Officer Satyawan Dilorh said the police had asked his department for more information. He confirmed that the office was not associated with his department and provided details to the police.

The authorities have urged residents to verify the authenticity of government offices and schemes before paying any fee, warning that impersonation and fraud can carry serious penalties.

A police spokesperson confirmed that an FIR was registered and an inquiry initiated into the matter, while no arrests were made in this connection so far.