Job cards for bogus villages
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 23, 2011:
As reported from different places of the hill districts of Manipur, it has been learnt that MGNREGS job cards have been issued in Sadar Hills in Senapati district in the name of villages which do not exist at all.
A reliable source informed that around 1600 MGNREGS job cards were distributed in July and August in Senapati district this year.
The additional job cards were distributed equally to three blocks of Senapati and another three blocks of Sadar Hills.
As per the reports submitted by respective BDOs, 800 of the additional job cards were distributed equally to Saikul Block, Kangpokpi Block and Saitu Block of Sadar Hills.
But a large number of the job cards were distributed in villages which are non-existent and not included in the reports given by BDOs.
It is also suspected that some Kuki militant groups under SoO pact might have exerted pressure on the BDOs.
The villages mentioned in the reports submitted by the BDOs about distribution of the 800 job cards were given no objection certificates by village chiefs.
The BDOs verified the villages based on the no objection certificates given by chiefs.
It is reported that authorities have asked the BDOs concerned to identify the most problematic Blocks and review the list of villages.
Some villages have more than 400 job card holders which the officials termed irrational.
Vigilance Commission has already registered a case on the matter, informed the source.