Ukhrul public cry foul over ADC's decision
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Ukhrul, June 28 2012:
Terming the move as illegal and an attempt to hoodwink the villagers, the aggrieved public have raised strong objection to the arbitrary decision of Autonomous District Council (ADC), Ukhrul to deduct 50 percent of the fund earmarked for material component (MC) under MGNREGS from every village.
Talking to the media at UDSA's conference hall Thursday, All Hunphun Ukhrul Tang Chairman Secretary Association (AHTCSA) expressed strong objection to the ADC's attempt to deduct 50 percent from the amount of material component allocated for the ongoing 20 days work of MGNREGS in the district and termed the move as breaching the guidelines and government orders.
The AHTCSA, however, made it clear that they have no objection to the ADC's share of 25 percent from 100 days of work in accordance to MGNREGS guidelines and Government order.
But in a recent move, the body alleged that the ADC Ukhrul in collusion with the block level officials imposed deduction of 50 percent which tantamount to Rs1.75 crores from the Material Component (MC) part of the ongoing 20 days MGNREGS work of 2011-12 from every village of the district.
Noting that the imposition was not endorsed by any written government order, the AHTCSA questioned the intention to siphon off the fund from MGNREGS and denounced the decision as a clear attempt to loot public money.
Informing that it has sought a copy of the government order or guidelines from the BDO/PO Ukhrul to substantiate the proposed deduction but the BDO/PO failed to provide any documents, AHTCSA contended, "If at all there is government order, we are ready to oblige but such order has to be provided to us in black and white" .
AHTCSA also demanded that the Ukhrul ADC members to come out with official documents to substantiate their stand point.
As per the MGNREGS operational guideline and the Governor's order issued September 14, 2010, the ADCs in the hill districts are the nodal agency for implementation of 25 percent of the fund earmarked for line departments under MGNREGA in their respective districts.
In addition, the approved works/projects in respect of line departments are to be implemented through ADCs in the hill districts in consultation with the local MLA and with the technical support from relevant departments.
"But this is contrary to aims and objective of MGNREGA and under no circumstances we will allow deduction of public money for the pockets of ADC members and officials.
We will uphold the dignity of labour and earning under the guidelines of the Act", the AHTCSA added.