Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23: The Sarpanch of Panchayat Halqa Gurrekarah falling under Block Gandoh in District Doda, in connivance with officials of Block Development Office (BDO) has embezzled lakhs of rupees under MGNREGA scheme.
This was maintained by social activists Ashiq Hussain in a press conference held here today, who alleged that he had RTI information in this regard which revealed that lakhs of rupees have been misappropriated by the concerned Sarpanch and BDO officials.
He said, “During the year 2011, an amount of Rs 36 lakh was sanctioned for the said panchayat by Rural Development Department, out of which officials of BDO showed expenditure of Rs 18 lakh on different department works on fraudulently but on ground only 5 to 6 percent works had been executed”.
The RTI information also ascertained that NREGA Job Cards had been issued in favour deceased, old aged, infirm and students and the amount thus withdrawn fraudulently, he said adding even the Sarpanch managed to prepare seven Job cards on the name of his own family members and 17 on the name of his in-laws.
Hussain revealed that he also lodged a complaint in this regard in the Vigilance Organisation on June 2, 2012, but unfortunately it took one complete year to start investigation into the matter. Finally the team visited the area and recorded the measurement of works executed in Ward No 3, 4 and 6 the goons of Sarpanch didn’t allow the team to finish the work and even forced it to take measurement of works executed in year 2009-10, he added.
Hussain appealed the Vigilance Commissioner to relaunch investigation into the matter and bring the facts to light so that corrupt Sarpanch and BDO officials can be punished for looting public exchequer.
Tarriq Hussain and Riaz Zargar also spoke on the occasion.
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