“A SIT (Special Investigation Team) has been formed on the tab scam. It is the administration’s job. Let the administration do it,” Banerjee said at the Bagdogra airport, before leaving for Kolkata after her four-day tour of northern West Bengal.

The West Bengal CM also said that those students who are yet to receive money for a tablet as part of the state’s ‘Taruner Swapna’ project will “get it soon”.

While questions have been raised about the role of the education department, administrative sources say Banerjee “herself is angry about the matter”.

The project, under which the Bengal government gives Rs 10,000 to students of classes 11 and 12 to buy tablets, was launched by Banerjee in 2021 after she came to power for the third time.

Initially, this money was given only to students of class 12. This year, it was decided that class 11 students would receive money as well. School authorities were expected to send the lists of students’ names and bank credentials to the education department.

A police investigation recently revealed that so far, at least 1,350 students in 15 districts of the state have not received the money meant for the tablets, due to some people allegedly hacking into the West Bengal Education Department’s portal to pilfer the funds.

On CM Banerjee’s instructions, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant had earlier held a meeting with DG Rajeev Kumar and other officials of the state police.

“This (sort of) incident happened in several states including Maharashtra and Rajasthan. We managed to catch this group. So, our administration is very strong, rough, and tough. They have already arrested six people. They will do the rest,” Banerjee said.