Imphal, February 11: Five officials of the MOBC Department have been placed under suspension for alleged irregularities in distributing the benefits to the beneficiaries under various developmental schemes of the Department.

The five MOBC officials who have been placed under suspension so as to facilitate disciplinary proceedings against them are Deputy Director-1 Dr K Lokhol Singh, Deputy Director-II Th Gopal Singh, Accounts Officer K Paukhamlung, Agriculture Officer L Mak Joute and Agriculture Officer H Gourakishwar Singh.

Talking to some media-persons in this connection at his office chamber this afternoon, MOBC Minister Md Allauddin Khan said that befitting action would be taken up if any person, whether they be officials, or family members were found guilty.

Admitting that cent percent of the benefits under various developmental schemes launched by MOBC Department is not reaching the poor people, the Minister cited undue pressures from various NGOs coupled with lack of inadequate staff as the main stumbling block in effective functioning of the department.

Reacting to the allegations of denying the poor of their rightful shares under MOBC schemes, the Minister explained that along with imparting necessary training to people living Below Poverty Line (BPL) in various trades under Economic Development Programme and Skill Development Programme, MOBC has been providing the required machineries and other assistance to help them in starting their own work.

Forty percent of the fund under the Economic Development Programme are reserved for the OBC and the remaining 60 percent for the Minorities.

However, during the course of investigation, it came to light that only 70 percent of benefits are actually reaching out to the beneficiaries.

One of the main reasons for this is undue interference from various quarters.

Moreover, irregularities on the part of some of the officials in distribution of the benefits have been detected and subsequently five of the officials have been placed under suspension and the goods distributed by them seized.

On lack of adequate staff in the Department, the Minister said that at present there are only 25 staff, which is not sufficient disclosed that at present there are only 25 staff, which is not sufficient enough for smooth functioning of the Department.

Last year, 61,000 application forms were received for the Economic Development Programme and Skills Development Programme.

The limited staff of the Department had a tough time in screening these application forms, the Minister said, adding that he would proposed to the Chief Minister for upgrading the Dept into a major Dept.

However, taking advantage of lack of adequate staff in the Dept, none of the employees should neglect their duties or indulge in unwanted activities, the Minister warned.

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