M S NAZKI
Early Times Report
Poonch, Mar 4: A village level worker (VLW), who is wife of a sarpanch, has been placed under suspension for her alleged involvement in the misappropriation of MGNREGA funds in Midel Panchayat which falls in Naka Majhari block of Balakote.
Payments worth Rs 2 cr were alleged to have been withdrawn fraudulently against fake bills by sarpanch Tanveer Ahmad Khan, his wife (VLW) Gulhaiz Akhtar, and a JE, official sources said.
Bills had been drawn against the works which did not exist on ground, sources alleged, saying the payment were withdrawn from different wards.
People of the area, led by panchs Mehmood Khan and Safeed Ahmed, had lodged a complaint against them. Taking a cognizance, Distrcit Development Commissioner, Poonch, M H Malik suspended Gulhaiz and attached her with Block Development Office, Balakote, sources alleged.
VLW Khalid Hussain was posted in place of Gulhaiz, but he refused to join on health grounds, sources said.
When contacted, ACD, Poonch, said he was in a meeting, but Balakote BDO A R Khawja requested not to carry the news item. Meanwhile, Malik has constituted an inquiry committee which will probe the misappropriation of MGNREGA funds. The report was likely to be submitted to Malik within a week's time. On the basis of this report, he would initiate an action as warranted under law, sources said. |
