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| Officials at MC Mattan embezzle SBM funds, allege beneficiaries | | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, Feb 23: Alleging misappropriation of funds released by central government under Swach Bharat Mission (Urban), angry residents of South Kashmir's Mattan on Friday staged a protest demonstration inside the premises of Municipal Committee.
The residents alleged that employees of municipal committee were approaching them and insisting them to accept financial help in cash instead of transferring the same in their bank accounts which they have provided to the municipal authorities.
"They (employees) approached me and told me to construct the toilet before 20th of February. I borrowed money for it because I am poor but now the employees are telling me accept only Rs 10,000 when I am eligible to get Rs 17,490," Hanifa, a beneficiary told Early Times.
She alleged that employees of Municipal Committee Mattan were insisting her to accept Rs 10,000 in cash.
Another beneficiary too alleged that she was also compelled by the authorities to borrow money and construct the pit and toilet block but now the officers are denying her exact financial aid.
"The Municipal officer told me accept Rs 5000 but I didn't and demanded the exact amount," she said.
A group of beneficiaries also alleged that they were given the financial help in cash and none among them received the financial aid in bank accounts.
"Some of us received Rs 8,000 and some might have received Rs 10,000 but none among us was given the full amount and wasn't transferred in their bank accounts," they claimed.
As per the guidelines, the department is found to transfer the amount of Rs 17,490 to each beneficiary in his bank account after the beneficiary completes the construction of toilet under Individual House Hold Scheme (IHHL).
However, the locals alleged that employees of Municipal Committee Mattan were approaching them with cash.
An officer at Municipal Committee Mattan told Early Times that out of 100, 94 beneficiaries have completed the construction of toilet blocks.
He said that request for financial help to these 94 beneficiaries has been sent to the Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir in month of January.
"Only Rs 7 lakh have been released to us out of which we have released Rs 5 lakh to a local NGO which has been given this project and is responsible for releasing the financial help to beneficiaries," he added.
Executive Officer of Municipal Committee Mattan, Abdul Manan wasn't available in his office when this visited him. He had also switched off his phone.
Subordinates of Executive Officer informed that he had office at around 11:30am to lead/offer Friday prayers somewhere in Anantnag. |
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