Funds to buy tablets or smartphones have been credited twice in the accounts of 4,841 students studying in Classes XI and XII in 17 schools in two blocks in Murshidabad.

The schools as well as the district authorities are trying to find a way out to return the additional amount to the treasury.

“Each of the students studying in Classes XI and XII in the state-aided schools were supposed to get Rs 10,000 to buy a tablet or a smartphone for digital learning under the chief minister’s pet scheme Taruner Swapno. But in Murshidabad, funds have been credited twice in the accounts of 4,841 students. All these students received Rs 20,000 instead of Rs 10,000. The authorities were trying to find out the reason behind the mistake,” said a senior state government official.

The “mistake” was considered to be significant in the administrative circles as it came to light at a time when the state education department was struggling to get rid of allegations that several students in some districts did not get the money as funds were transferred to unauthorised accounts.

“So far, we came to know that about 180 students did not get the money to buy tabs as funds were transferred to unauthorized accounts. We are trying to resolve the issue. The fresh allegations left the education department in further trouble,” said another official.

The chief secretary, on Monday, held a meeting with education department officials, district magistrates and police on the issue of transferring tab funds to some unauthorized accounts at Nabanna where the education department was asked to be careful about transferring money to the bank accounts.

“It was also decided that funds would be sent to the accounts of 180-odd students who did not get the money to buy tabs due to the mistake,” said an official.

Sources in Murshidabad said all the schools where the irregularities occurred are located in two blocks — Jangipur and Nowda.

Out of 17 schools, where additional funds were transferred to the accounts of the students, nine were located in Jangipur and the remaining eight were located in Nowda.