GUWAHATI, June 2 - Amardeep Paul, the founder of NEEDS (North Eastern Economical Development Society), an NGO, was today arrested by the City Police on charges of duping youths in the name of providing jobs.
The arrest came following an FIR lodged by a victim. Along with Paul, a director of the NGO, Aparupal Ray, was also arrested.
ACP (Panbazar) Suprotive Lal Barua told The Assam Tribune that Paul operated by issuing advertisements in leading newspapers, promising jobs with salaries ranging from Rs 35,000 to
Rs 50,000 to lure unsuspecting youths.
�The selected youths are called for interview and given �training.� On completion of the training, Paul demands a certain sum of money from the youths who are then asked to sell the customer care cards of the NGO. No salary is given to the youths. They are asked to keep a margin on the sale of every card,� Barua said.
The NGO is alleged to have duped a number of youths over the last few years.
�Some unemployed youths carry on with the job for some time, but later discontinue,� the police officer said.
He said Paul, who hails from Karimganj, had cases against him in southern Assam and Dispur as well, after which he shifted his office to near Bora Service here.
Police have registered a case (No. 482/17) under Sections 120 (B), 420 and 406 against Paul and Ray.
According to its website, NEEDS has designed a �customer care card� to �address the problem of price rise. By donating a simple amount of Rs 999, anybody can become a NEEDS family member for lifetime. Every member will be provided a customer care card absolutely free which will have no renewal throughout life. This magical card, though which the holder can enjoy discounts on various products, will be accepted at selected outlets,� the website says.
The NGO claims to have over 3,000 outlets all over the North-East, where the card is accepted, �which is the largest customer loyalty programme in India.�
