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| Embezzlement in MNREGA works in Budgam | | | Early Times Report
Budgam, Jan 8: The residents of Palpora village in Budgam district have been fighting a battle against the officials of Rural development and local panchayat from last several years. The Vigilance conducted an inspection of works and found that fake bills were made for non- existent works. Money was illegally withdrawn from state exchequer. The Vigilance failed to take up this case to the logical conclusion as accused are roaming free. The locals have now appealed Rural Development Minister (RDD) to conduct on-spot inspection of the works which have been shown executed in the documents provided by BDO Budgam to information seekers under State Right to Information Act (RTI).
"After embezzling huge amount of public money meant for MG-NREGA works , the authorities particularly the district rural development department Budgam had allegedly tried to release money in favour of a local panchayat of Palpora inspite of the fact that most of the members of the village panchayat were involved in this alleged embezzlement. We are thankful to Early Times for taking up this issue at the right time. The report filed few months back prevented the RDD officials from making payments " said a villager Farooq Ahmad of Palpora.
Details available with Early Times reveal that few years back around 20 lakh rupees were 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 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 , panchs, VLW and the then BDO of Budgam block.
"The matter is under scanner of various investigating agencies including vigilance.
The authorities in ACD office Budgam had started releasing the payment in favour of the local panchayat but we intervened. We appeal Minister for Rural Development Abdul Haq Khan to send a team from Directorate of Social Audit for undertaking inspection of the works. We have been requesting authorities to probe this issue but there is always luke warm response from Government" said Ghulam Nabi Mir a local resident of Palpora Budgam.
Undertaking Social Audit is an important provision provided under the MG NREGA by the Government of India. The implementation of this scheme at grass root level focuses on its transparency and especially the accountability of panchayat representatives, officials of Rural development department (RDD) such as Panchayat Secretaries , and Junior Engineers's (JE's) etc .
"We are thankful to Minister for RDD for taking action against tainted employees of RDD who had embezzled public money in Dreygam panchayat. The employees paid back almost 5 lakhs in Government treasury , we want that same action should be initiated against officials involved in NREGA scam at Palpora village. " said Dr Mushtaq Khan, State Coordinator Jammu Kashmir RTI Movement. |
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