PANDM alleges MGNREGA fund misappropriated; GP negates
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 27 2020: The People's Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM) has alleged that Pradhan, Ward member and staff of Keinou Gram Panchayat, under Nambol CD Block, Bishnupur, misappropriated MGNREGA fund by making a fraudulent job card.

PANDM IPR secretary, Rosnikanta Takhelcha claimed that they found proof of the Keinou GP indulging in fraudulent activities on an investigation.

Saying that the GP issued a job card (No.MN-06-003-006- 001/15372) to an individual who no longer resides in Ward No.5, he claimed that the card was issued in the name of one doctor to a man who has no relation to him.

The said person has been working in his name since March 30, 2018, Rosnikanta claimed.

The doctor works as a medical officer and he learned about the fraud only during a departmental inquiry, he added.

Saying that the person who holds the job card revealed that he was enrolled by the former Ward Member, who is no more, Rosnikanta continued that they had also uploaded that the doctor had personally worked from December 13-19, 2019.Despite sending a letter to discuss the matter at PANDM office, Keinou GP Pradhan, Gram Rozgar Sevak and Panchayat secretary who are allegedly involved in the case did not show up, he claimed adding that the Panchayat secretary, however, informed later that he could not come due to some office work.

Asserting that PANDM takes the matter seriously as it involves public funds, Roshnikanta added that fitting measures will be taken up against all involved.

Roshnikanta also stated that many forged such cards can be revealed if properly investigated.

Rosnikanta then cautioned of initiating legal actions if the accused persons did not come to the PANDM office at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Keinou Gram Panchayat, CD Block Nambol has refuted the allegation of PANDM that a job card was issued in one doctor's name.

In a statement, the GP claimed that the job card (No.MN-06-003-006- 001/15372) was issued to one Government teacher, Y Kadambini Devi in 2013 by the previous Panchayat.

She retired in February 2016 .

Claiming that she also enrolled her son, Y Herojit as a co-worker with a duplicate photo, the GP further alleged that evidence of depositing money in Y Kadambini Devi's bank account from 2013 to April 2018 was also found.

It also said that the job card number of one Y Anjali Devi was found similar to Y Kadambini Devi on investigation and the former is still benefited by the MGNREGA.

There is no lapse from the side of elected representatives and officials concerned, it added.

The statement also stated that the Pradhan, Gram Rozgar Sevak and Panchayat secretary of the GP went to the office of PANDM at Uripok on September 15 to discuss the issue, but the office was found closed.

"After waiting for about 30 minutes, they took a photo for proof and left the place as no one showed up," it added.

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