Scheme fund misuse galore in hills too
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 08 2012:
Like in the valley districts, the noble scheme of MGNREGS has been dogged by misuse and swindling of fund in the hill districts too.
A highly placed source informed TSE that MGNREGS fund for 2011-12 meant for some villages of Purul area, Senapati district has been held back because of misusing funds sanctioned earlier.
Misuse of MGNREGS fund in these villages came to light after conducting social audit together with concerned SDOs.
There are many complaints and controversies about misuse of MGNREGS fund in the hill districts too.
In their scrambling to take control of MGNREGS fund, some village authorities have even split into two thereby confusing the authority regarding to which group should funds be released.
Amidst these controversies, there are many complaints about abandoning MGNREGS works while the sanctioned fund was already drawn.
As it is more expensive besides being more time-consuming, authorities are unable to monitor MGNREGS works properly in hill areas.
Nevertheless, MGNREGS works have been monitored twice this year under district administration.
Whereas flaws and irregularities committed while executing MGNREGS works can be exposed in the valley districts, none dare to expose similar anomalies committed in the hill districts for fear of reprisal from armed groups, said the source.
Even though the State Cabinet has decided to compensate for the damages to oil tankers during the bandh called against Govt decision to let ADCs implement 25 per cent of MGNREGS works, the State Government has not yet informed Senapati district administration from which head of fund the compensation amount would be paid.
Moreover, the district administration has not received any report about the damages done to oil tankers during the bandh, added the source.