In a shocking case of fraud in a Chhattisgarh government scheme for married women, a man allegedly opened an account in the name of actor Sunny Leone and had been pocketing the sum of Rs 1,000 deposited in it every month.

Under the BJP government’s Mahtari Vandan Yojana, married women in Chhattisgarh receive Rs 1,000 into their accounts every month. It has now come to light that one of the accounts where the sum was being deposited was in the name of Sunny Leone.

The man who allegedly opened and operated this account has been identified as Virendra Joshi and a case is being registered against him for further action. Officials responsible for verification of eligible beneficiaries of the scheme are also being identified.

The fraud has been reported at Talur village in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. District collector Haris S has asked the Women and Child Development Department to carry out an in-depth probe into this matter and seize the bank account for recovery. According to officials, media reports had drawn their attention to this shocking case of fraud.

The revelation has sparked a heated exchange between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress.

State Congress chief Deepak Baij has alleged that over 50 per cent of beneficiaries under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana are fake. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao shot back that the Congress is pained because women of the state are now receiving the monthly assistance that the Congress could not provide in its previous term.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday named Indian American entrepreneur, venture capitalist and author Sriram Krishnan as Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence.

“Sriram Krishnan will serve as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy,” Trump said on Sunday as he announced a number of appointments on artificial intelligence or AI.

Krishnan, who has previously led product teams at Microsoft, Twitter, Yahoo!, Facebook and Snap, will work along with David O. Sacks who will be the White House AI & Crypto Czar.

“Working closely with David Sacks, Sriram will focus on ensuring continued American leadership in AI and help shape and coordinate AI policy across government, including working with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Sriram started his career at Microsoft as a founding member of Windows Azure,” Trump said.

Krishnan said, “I’m honored to be able to serve our country and ensure continued American leadership in AI working closely with David Sacks.” Krishnan’s appointment has been welcomed by the Indian American community.

🇺🇸 I’m honored to be able to serve our country and ensure continued American leadership in AI working closely with @DavidSacks.

Thank you @realDonaldTrump for this opportunity. pic.twitter.com/kw1n0IKK2a

— Sriram Krishnan (@sriramk) December 22, 2024

“We heartily congratulate Sriram Krishnan and are delighted that he has been appointed by President-elect Donald Trump as Senior Policy Advisor in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy,” said Indiaspora’s executive director Sanjeev Joshipura.

“For several years, Sriram has been an insightful thinker and influential commentator in the artificial intelligence realm. His previous work blending public policy, international affairs, investing and technology will stand him in good stead as he serves the nation in this important role,” he added.

“As Indiaspora continues our convening and thought leadership work on AI in the United States and abroad, we look forward to engaging closely with Sriram,” Joshipura said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Flags will be flown at half-mast after President Emmanuel Macron declared a national day of mourning. 

​Flags will be flown at half-mast after President Emmanuel Macron declared a national day of mourning.