Author: Madhuparna Das, Apoorva Misra
Publication: News18.com
Date: June 12, 2023
URL:    https://www.news18.com/amp/india/rs-4-lakh-for-sweeper-rs-5-lakh-for-clerk-rate-chart-blows-lid-off-cash-for-jobs-scam-in-bengal-exclusive-8055775.html

In a chance discovery, the ED, while raiding the offices and other premises of an accused in connection with the teacher recruitment scam, accessed a bunch of incriminating digital and paper records revealing the 'cash for jobs' racket

Rs 4 lakh for labour, sweeper, peon, ambulance attendant, driver, mason, sanitary assistant, dumper operator; Rs 5 lakh for clerks, teachers (in municipality run schools), pipeline inspector, assistant cashier; and Rs 6 lakh for sub assistant engineer — this is allegedly the ‘rate chart’ for positions under the group D and group C services across municipalities and municipal corporations in West Bengal, an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate has revealed.

In a chance discovery, the agency, while raiding the offices and other premises of an accused in connection with the teacher recruitment scam, unearthed a second scam. The investigators accessed a bunch of incriminating digital and paper records that had blown the lid off the ‘cash for jobs’ racket.

According to the investigation report filed by the ED, 6,000 vacancies in 17 positions under group D and C services across 60 civic bodies since 2014-15 have been filled up with candidates who paid for the jobs. The municipalities include Kanchrapara, New Barrackpore, Kamarhati, Titagarh, Baranagar, Halisahar, South Dum Dum, North Dum Dum and so on. News 18 has accessed the report.

The investigators have seized the lists of agents who collected the money and the candidates who paid lakhs as graft. The records seized by the ED include all details of the candidates, their profile and the amount of money they paid for specific positions.