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Unkind Cut

The Indian Express visited 12 villages in Bardhaman, Birbhum and Hooghly, and found how “cut money”, which is a well-entrenched practice dating back to the Left rule, had become “institutionalised” over the years, with specific rates for various schemes.

UNKIND CUT NEWS

West Bengal: TMC cornered, BJP takes lead in tracking cut money agents

July 04, 2019 11:03 am

On June 18, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked her party leaders to return the “cut money”, or illegal commissions, they had allegedly collected from people to “facilitate” various government schemes.

In West Bengal, TMC men's cut money rate list: Rs 200 for last rites, Rs 25,000 for house

July 04, 2019 11:04 am

The Indian Express spoke to residents in 12 villages across Hooghly, Bardhaman and Birbhum, to find a deep sense of anger and despair at the “system”, which is so well entrenched that there are “fixed rates” for specific schemes, ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 25,000.

Grassroot TMC leaders face cut-money blowback in West Bengal: ‘Can’t return home’

July 04, 2019 11:03 am

On June 18, with the BJP rapidly making inroads in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked her party leaders to end the practice of “cut money” and return them to the people.

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