Elon Musk has been leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a US initiative aimed at reducing government waste and fraud to achieve a 15% spending reduction. Established by President Donald Trump, DOGE is tasked with optimizing federal operations, enhancing efficiency, and cutting excessive expenditures within an 18-month timeframe.

A similar governance approach was adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after taking office in 2014. He emphasized the need to free India from deep-rooted inefficiencies and harmful practices in government systems. With this philosophy, the Modi government has successfully eliminated 100 million fake beneficiaries from welfare schemes, saving Rs 3 lakh crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
However, a pressing concern has emerged—amidst the removal of fake beneficiaries, how many illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been exploiting welfare schemes? This issue gained attention following recent reports from Bhadwan village in Nashik, Maharashtra, where 181 individuals were found to have forged documents to fraudulently claim benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme. Investigations revealed that these individuals were Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants from Myanmar who had illegally settled in the area. Moreover, their bank accounts, linked to the fraudulent claims, were traced to West Bengal rather than Maharashtra, further raising concerns about organized welfare fraud and infiltration.
The Modus Operandi
The method typically involves forging Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and other identification documents to create a false legal identity, allowing them to access government benefits. Since Aadhaar is widely used for direct benefit transfers, obtaining a fake one enables them to avail of welfare schemes irrespective of their actual place of residence. In many cases, these individuals go to the extent of changing their names to Hindu identities to blend in more seamlessly with local populations. Such fraudulent activities often occur with the collusion of local authorities who assist in document forgery for votebank politics. These well-orchestrated operations not only drain public resources but also pose significant security risks by enabling unauthorized individuals to integrate into the system unnoticed. There are also high chances of changing certain regions' demographics, which can also threaten national security.
Here is the list of Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants availing various central/state government
Sr No | Case | Scheme | District | State | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | PM-Kisan Scheme Fraud | PM-Kisan | Nashik | Maharashtra | ||
2 | Bangladeshi woman found beneficiary | Ladki Bahin Yojana | Mumbai | Maharashtra | ||
3 | MNREGA payments to Bangladeshis | MNREGA | Murshidabad | West Bengal | ||
4 | Rohingya and intruders Bangladeshi Muslims Getting Illegal Benefits | PM Awas Yojana | Ghaziabad | Uttar Pradesh | ||
5 | Fake Aadhaar Used by Rohingyas | Arogyasri | Hyderabad | Telangana | ||
6 | Rohingyas with fake ID in UP for employment | Employment | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | ||
7 | Flats cancelled for Bangladeshis | JDA scheme | Jaipur | Rajasthan | ||
8 | Scholarship scam | Scholarship | - | Assam, Bihar | ||
9 | Controversy over flats to Rohingyas | Housing scheme | Delhi | Delhi | ||
10 | Rohingyas getting aid | Jal Board water and electricity | Delhi | Delhi | ||
11 | Govt land used for Bangladeshis | Indira Awas Yojana | Darrang | Assam | ||
12 | Rohingyas & Bangladeshis occupy govt houses | PMAY | Bilaspur | Chhattisgarh | ||
13 | Biggest minority scholarship scam | Minority scholarship programme | Multiple | India | ||
14 | Fake accounts in PM-Kisan | PM-Kisan | Multiple | Rajasthan | ||
15 | 2.5 crore PM-Kisan fraud | PM-Kisan | - | Chhattisgarh | ||
16 | Bengal passport scam | Passport | - | West Bengal | ||
17 | Illegal encroachment by Bangladeshis | Various WelfareSchemes | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | ||
18 | Enrolment of illegal Bangladeshi migrants | School Admission Fraud | Delhi | Delhi | ||
19 | Illegal Rohingya immigrant using ration card | PDS | Poonch | Jammu and Kashmir | ||
20 | Harbouring and aiding Rohingya immigrants with illegal documents | PDS | Jammu | Jammu and Kashmir | ||
21 | Rohingya Muslims availing welfare schemes | Various Welfare Schemes | Hyderabad | Telangana |
Incentive Scheme To Report Such Fraud?
To strengthen the fight against welfare fraud by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, the government can introduce a incentive scheme that encourages citizens to report suspicious activities. Under this scheme, individuals who provide credible information about illegal immigrants fraudulently availing government benefits.This will not only enhance vigilance at the grassroots level but also create a strong deterrent against fraudulent claims. The scheme can include a secure and anonymous reporting system to protect whistleblowers from potential threats. Additionally, collaboration with local authorities, village heads, and community organizations can help ensure swift verification and action against offenders. By empowering citizens to play an active role in safeguarding public resources, the government can further tighten its grip on welfare fraud and illegal immigration.
A multi-pronged approach combining policy enforcement, grassroots participation, and stringent legal action will ensure that India's welfare schemes serve their intended purpose—uplifting deserving beneficiaries while preventing systemic exploitation for political gains