Hyderabad: A viral social media rumour claiming ₹2,500 deposits under the Mahalakshmi scheme led to massive crowds of women outside post offices in Telangana’s Hanamkonda district.
The message falsely claimed that women would receive the amount only if they had active savings accounts in post offices. The rumour rapidly spread across local WhatsApp groups and community networks, prompting thousands of women to line up for new account openings.
The district’s main post office near Ambedkar Chowk witnessed overwhelming crowds for over a week. Despite opening nearly 20 counters, postal staff struggled to manage the rush. Long queues, predominantly of women, extended outside the premises from early morning hours.
A senior postal officer clarified that no official instructions had been issued by the government regarding any such financial transfer under the Mahalakshmi scheme. “We are opening accounts since people are coming in, but there is no confirmation about any monetary benefit,” the official stated.
The surge, driven entirely by unverified claims, has exposed the reach and impact of misinformation, particularly among economically vulnerable populations.
