Pradhan accused of fund embezzlement, committee urge to take up action
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur, September 28 2017: Saiton Gram Panchayat Management and Development Committee member, Karam Ibomcha Singh, has accused the Pradhan of Soibam Gram Panchayat, Soibam Shamungou Singh, of misusing the developmental fund sanctioned for Saiton Gram Panchayat .

Speaking at a press meet today, Ibomcha stated that Pradhan Shamungou had withdrawn a sum of Rs 8,20,850 without taking up any developmental initiatives for the Panchayat .

He said that the incident came to light when the committee filed an RTI application on the matter.

Several funds have been embezzled by different people in the name of development for the Panchayat without executing any work, he asserted .

Under the 2015-2016 State Finance Commission, the misused funds which were withdrawn in the name of development are Rs 1,64,850 for construction of stairs and bathroom of Heiyaikon community pond by beneficiary secretary, A Tomba Singh, Rs 1,00,000 for construction of bathing plate at Saiton Maning Khun community tank by beneficiary secretary Ak Baburam .

Under the State Finance Commission 2012-2013, beneficiary secretary Ch Somananda Singh withdrew Rs 1,00,000 for repairing of bazar shed at Salankonjil, beneficiary secretary T Mangi Singh also misused a sum of Rs 1,00,000, under State Finance Commission 2011-2012, for repairing Maning Thong at Salankonjil part II .

The committee also found that under the 14th Finance Commission 2015-2016 (1st phase) beneficiary secretary Y Bagendra Singh misused Rs 56,000 for purchase/ construction of solid waste bin at Saiton Gram Panchayat .

And under the State Finance Commission 2011-2012, secretary K Surendrakumar Singh misused Rs 2,00,000 for construction of community hall at Salankonjil part I and another secretary Th Joyrash withdrew Rs 1,00,000 for the construction of crematorium waiting shed near Saiton Pukhri Achouba Mapal .

The committee found out that these sanctioned funds were misused without taking up any of the said tasks/ works, Ibomcha noted .

The committee was taken by surprise when they found that some of the beneficiary secretaries of the work programmes were appointed without the knowledge of the said individuals themselves .

During inspection, Ibomcha said, many completed projects or works have been damaged or have started to degrade inspite of the total amount sanctioned for it .

Another incident which the committee came across was the deduction of Rs 2000 each from the fund provided for the construction of latrines, under the Swachh Bharat Mission scheme .

The committee appealed the running candidates of the ensuing Panchayat election, not to indulge in such matters and not to take up any developmental matter without the knowledge of the locals as well as the beneficiary committee .

Saiton Gram Panchayat village and Water Sanitation Committee secretary, L Manimohon Sharma, decried the act of deducting and contributing money from the fund sanctioned for construction of latrines without his knowledge and signature .

He appealed those concerned not to repeat such act again and urged the authority concerned to take up necessary steps against those involved in the incidents.

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