Badasahi: Chit fund scams which were rampant a few years ago are believed to be the things of the past. But, people in tribal-dominated Badasahi block in Mayurbhanj district have alleged that a company has been operating in the area, fleecing gullible tribals.
Further, they have alleged, some government officials and teachers are involved in chit fund activities. Reports said a financial company has spread its network in Badasahi and several other parts of north Odisha over the last three years. It has employed staffers who have been persuading the people to invest money in the company promising high returns. It also lures agents offering them four-wheelers.
The agents are said to have been collecting Rs 3,000 each from poor tribals and including them in the chit fund schemes on the promise of returning lakhs of rupees after some years.
As part of its network business, each one is asked to join as a member after depositing some amount and then add more members with commission of Rs 850 each. The agents also get freebies such as trips to Goa and Bangkok if they add 40 members to the network.
Many teachers and government officials are into this business, trying to trap people, it is alleged. One such fraud came to light after a woman Ratnamanjari Giri of Dinabandhupur was allegedly cheated after she deposited money.
She had deposited Rs 3000 in the company, but some poor quality products were given to her. When she demanded her money back, the firm didn’t pay.
Unemployed youths are the targets for the fraudsters. Meetings are organised in villages to woo them into the business. Manoranjan Behera, a youth of Badasahi, who has joined the network feels cheated.
“Officials (of the chit fund) had promised me to buy a car at a low price after adding 40 members to the network. But they are not doing anything on the promise,” he added.
However, IIC Jaynarayan Khandai said he has not received any complaint in this regard. “If we get a complaint, we will take action,” he added.
PNN