KOLKATA: A total 136 Ponzi companies in West Bengal have so far mobilized around Rs 60,000 crore from the state - almost 1.6 times the amount collected by the Bengal government in taxes last year. And, the list excludes Saradha Group companies and alleged Ponzi schemes run by Rose Valley Group.
An internal report of the Union finance ministry has noted that Ponzi schemes have a free-run in Bengal and are mobilizing huge amounts from people despite crackdown on such firms following the unravelling of the Saradha scam.
These firms have also started operating in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, ministry sources said.