Anganwadi Centres: Funds withdrawn sans construction
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 19 2017: Citing misappropriation of a huge amount of fund sanctioned for construction of Anganwadi Centres without even executing the necessary works, an RTI activist has lodged a complaint to the Vigilance Commission seeking a thorough enquiry.

Even as necessary funds were sanctioned by Social Welfare Department for construction of 13 Anganwadi Centres in Lilong area, none of these centres were found constructed.

The 13 Anganwadi Centres should be constructed at the cost of Rs 1,75,000 each, and construction of Anganwadi Centres is generally done under the supervision of DRDA, sources informed.

The amount sanctioned for construction of the 13 Anganwadi Centres were released by then CDPO Thoubal N Satyabhama Devi from ICDS Thoubal head of account to two contractors namely-; Md BS Shahid Ahamad and Md Naser.

The 13 centres should be constructed at Haoreibi Makha Uritpi Mapa, Lilong Lou Manga, Haoreibi Mayai Mathak, Haoreibi Chandra-khong, Haoreibi Makha Leikai Konjil, Lilong Turel Ahanbi Salam Mathak, Haoreibi Awang Leikai, Oinam Sawombung, Haoreibi Makha Leikai, Part-I, Chingkham Kabui, Lilong Bazar and Arapti Singei Dam Mathak.

Of the 13 Anganwadi Centres, eight should be constructed by Md BS Shahid Ahamad while five others should be constructed by Md Naser.

The fraudulence came to light from the reply given by DRDA Thoubal EE Ng Somorendro on July 4 this year to an RTI application filed by one Ayekpam Keshoijit of Haobam Marak Irom Leikai on December 29 last year.

The DRDA EE's reply categorically stated that the Anganwadi Centres were not constructed and it also mentioned that final instalments were already released by the CDPO Thoubal without any knowledge of DRDA Thoubal, the sources said.

Subsequently, Keshoijit lodged a complaint to the SP Vigilance on November 13 seeking a thorough enquiry into the matter.

However, it is not yet clear whether the Vigilance Commission has registered any case or started investigation or not, the sources added.

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