| RTI activist alleges irregularities in RDD Bhaderwah | | 'MGNREGA job cards issued to deceased, students' | | Early Times Report
DODA, Sept 30: A Right to Information (RTI) activist has alleged irregularities in execution of works under MGNREGA and other schemes in Rural Development Department (RDD) of Gath block of Bhaderwah.
Addressing a press conference here Wednesday, the RTI activist Ajaz Ahmed Peer claimed that he has got information through RTI which revealed that lakhs of rupees have been misappropriated by the RDD during 2013-14.
"On ground only 5 to 6 percent works had been executed in 27 Panchayats, but the department has withdrawn payment for 50 to 65 works from government exchequer," Peer said.
He said MGNREGA job cards had been issued in favour of some deceased, aged, infirm, and students as well. He alleged that some officials were involved in the frauds and also blamed the Government and investigating agencies of failing to monitor the works of RDD at the grass root level.
"The government has turned a blind eye towards the poor execution of the centrally sponsored schemes including MGNREGA in Gatha block in Doda district due to which some officials of the department have openly looted the national exchequer through criminal conspiracy and on ground no development is seen in villages," Peer said.
"There are bungling in developmental works in 27 villages which include Bhagla, Shivarna, Hach, Kalihand, Dali Kulhand, Koti, Dhar Dachnan, Arnora, Alwazat, Dhara-A and B in distribution of money under IAY. Twenty percent of the houses have not been constructed, but the families have managed to get money by bribing the officials," the RTI activist alleged.
"In addition to this, not a single woman has been provided job card or job; the tools used during works such as spades, axes etc too have not been provided by the RDD which otherwise is mandatory. The officials have not made pro-active disclosure of works done under MGNREGA at the prominent places in villages as well which is a binding under MGNREGA Act," he added.
He also alleged that delay in the payment under the MGNREGA and other schemes to people has become a routine in Gatha block. "It is observed that the authorities concerned deliberately delay payment to labourers engaged under this scheme," he said and demanded a social audit for IAY, BRGF, MGNREGA, Total Sanitation Programme (TSP) and other schemes in Gatha.
The RTI activist claimed that some RDD officials, Panchs and Sarpanchs of Gath are threatening him of dire consequences if he disclosed "the truth about the frauds." |
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