Jiribam, July 18 2009: Going by the way it was implemented in Jiribam sub-division, Pradhan Mantri Grameen Yojna (PMGY) has been reduced to a farce During a survey conducted by this correspondent, the school building constructed at Uchathol was found only half-complete but on paper it was well completed.

The school building has no door, no ceiling nor concrete floor.

The building is yet to be equipped with necessary furniture.

The toilet complex of three rooms also presented a similar pathetic picture.

According to Principal of Uchathol Primary School H Biramohon who is also secretary of the Village Education Committee, the final settlement of bill for the construction work was siphoned off by some UG elements.

Under the scheme, the bill was released in three instalments.

While 60 percent was released in the first and second instalments, the remaining 40 percent supposed to be sanctioned in the third instalment has been siphoned off by the UG elements.

Subsequent upon the swindling, the contractor left the construction work incomplete.

While the two room school building was built at the estimated cost of Rs 1.63 lakh, the three-room latrine shed is estimated at Rs 1.22 lakh, the Principal confided.

He lamented that his position of being secretary of the Village Education Committee was being misused as a mere signatory with nothing to gain by those exercising power.

On being contacted, Jiribam ZEO Th Ketuki shook off her responsibility saying that the PMGY scheme was taken up much before she took over as ZEO Jiribam.

Yet, Ketuki conceded that it was very difficult to implement schemes in proper manner, particularly central Govt sponsored ones for which she was not directly accountable.

One resident of Uchathol, Jiri fumed that it would be wise on the part of the Government not to implement schemes just for name's sake to fool the people.

He also urged upon all sections not to interfere in welfare schemes and development works which would be beneficial to people.

In the course of the survey, it came to light that the school building constructed at Sorok Atingbi under the same scheme (PMGY) earlier was nowhere to be seen.

remains of the school building, if any., could not be traced.

On being enquired, one villager of Sorok Atingbi said that the school building started developing cracks even before construction work was complete.

As expected, the building was razed to ground by a strong gale sometime back, he said.

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