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| After embezzlement in NREGA works, payments being released “illegally” at Budgam | | |
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 28: After allegedly embezzling huge amount of public money meant for MG-NREGA works, the authorities particularly the district rural development department Budgam have allegedly released money in favour of a local panchayat of Palpora inspite of the fact that most of the members of the village panchayat have been involved in this alleged embezzlement.
Details available with Early Times reveal that few years back around 20 lakh rupees were allegedly embezzled by the local panchayat of Palpora in Budgam district of central Kashmir . As many as one dozen works were not at all executed in the village but payments were made illegally by the local BDO office. The works included construction of retaining walls , paths , link roads etc
The scam was unearthed by some locals residents using Right to Information Act (RTI). The RTI reply gave details about executed works but the works according to locals hardly existed on the ground. After the alleged scam was exposed the locals filed a complaint before State Vigilance Commission (SVC) but till date the commission is yet to take action against the involved sarpanch , panches , VLW and the then BDO Budgam block. “ The matter is under scanner of various investigating agencies including vigilance but the authorities including ACD office Budgam have started releasing the payment in favour of the local panchayat which is totally illegal” said Farooq Ahmad a local resident. In a similar case Director Rural Development Department did not initiated the process of dissolving another panchayat in Kutabal Jeddan in same district after a team from Ministry of Rural Development Government of India found severe irregularities in the distribution of money under Indira Awas Yojna (IAY) and MG NREGA in Kutabal panchayat of Chadoora block in Budgam district. The alleged IAY scam was also exposed by some locals using RTI Act wherein information was sought from Rural Development Department. The concerned Sarpanch in connivance with officials of the Rural Development in Budgam district had illegally distributed cheques amounting to more than 21 lakhs among his close relatives.
The Sarpanch of Kutabal Aslam Thakkar @ Khan along with his father Abdul Ahad Khan who is the Deputy Sarpanch of the same village has provided cheques @ Rs 48,500 to their 27 relatives which included some minors and relatives living in other villages some of whom are Govt employees also. “After being exposed Sarpanch and his father had refunded some part of the allegedly swindled money meant for poor and homeless people but the rest of the money hasn’t been recovered till date and no criminal proceedings have been initiated and now we have another scam which is of similar nature but authorities are mum ? said Abdul Ahad Mir from Palpora Budgam. Locals have appealed Minister Rural Development , Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and DC Budgam for their personal intervention into this matter and have urged upon them to direct the ACD Budgam not to release any money unless investigation is completed
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