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| `Swindled huge funds under IAY, MGNREGA' | | Govt shields Budgam's VIP Sarpanch | | ET Report
Srinagar, Feb 2: A Sarpanch from Kutabal village in Chadoora block of Budgam remained in the news for quite some time last year when he was exposed of swindling lakhs of rupees by providing cheques worth Rs 13 lakh to his close relatives which included some minor children. This matter was unearthed by a local RTI activist who sought the details from BDO’s office Chadoora under J&K RTI Act. After this incident the Sarpanch was forced to pay back Rs 5.53 lakh into the Govt treasury but as per reports the rest of the money still lies with him.
A team from Govt of India Ministry of Rural Development visited the said village to enquire about the complaint which was filed with high profile National Advisory Council which in turn directed Rural Development Ministry Govt of India to act. The team as per reports has accused the Sarpanch Mohammad Aslam Khan and his father Abdul Ahad Khan (Dy Sarpanch) of committing fraud in allotment of money to ineligible persons. Infact the team has recommended dismissal of the Sarpanch but till date Govt is yet to act as the Sarpanch is closely associated with ruling National Conference.
Pertinent to mention that last year noted social activist and Magsaysay awardee Aruna Roy who is also member of National Advisory Council (NAC) visited Kashmir on invitation of local RTI activists to attend a conference of Panchayati Raj at Yusmarg, Budgam and the participants there raised issues related to mismanagement and corruption in the National Flagship programmes like MGNREGS, IAY etc.
It was after this programme that Aruna Roy took up this serious matter with Sonia Gandhi who is also Chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC) and a team from Ministry of Rural Development lead by Director of Centre for Logical Research and Development Studies (LORDS) Dr Pradosh Sharma visited Kashmir valley in early September last year and investigated the matter after going to Kutabal village in Chadoora block of Budgam district where the irregularity had happened.
After the team lead by Dr Pradosh Sharma filed a report with the Rural Development Ministry the funds to undertake NREGA works were stopped to Budgam district. The Govt of India has taken a serious note of this matter but the State Govt still protects the main culprit.
Due to non issuance of funds under MGNREGA to Budgam district, hundreds of labourers are suffering said a Panch Arshad Hussain from Chadoora block. "If one Sarpanch or few officials have committed some mistake why shall the poor labourers suffer? We appreciate the move by Govt of India but instead of stopping the funds action must be taken against the involved persons and the panchayat members", he added.
Last year massive demonstrations were held against this VIP Sarpanch but no action was taken against him. The said Sarpanch and his relatives have many cases of assault, timber smuggling registered against them in Chadoora police station but he is being continuously protected by the Finance Minister, said Fayaz Ahmad an RTI activist from Kutabal village who exposed the Sarpanch. |
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