SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR, February 8: Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) Cachar district has decided to take out a torchlight vigil in Kalain on Tuesday against corrupt practices in the Water Resource department, tiol Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Food and Civil Supply department.
The allegation against NHAI is in respect of construction and repairing for which the KMSS observed a 70 hour hunger strike in Katigorah on November 6 last, following which, the executive engineer of NHAI and the executive engineer of PWD (R) gave commitment and undertaking to examine the allegations. This was done in the presence of Ashim Bhattacharjee, ADC Cachar.
A representation submitted by the KMSS on the misuse of public fund on January 1 this year also evoked assurance for taking appropriate steps and necessary action against those found guilty. The representation was made to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, S Viswathan, IAS, who spoke of his intervention in the serious matter. But, sadly enough, pointed out Rukan Uddin Barbhuiya, general secretary of KMSS Cachar, nothing concrete was done despite the fact that commitment by the executive engineers for corrective measures were made in the presence of the ADC, his representative.
The KMSS leaders and members were satisfied on the assurances in anticipation if no action was taken by the officers concerned, the Deputy Commissioner would ensure that they acted according to their commitment. Still sad, as Rukan Uddin Barbhuiya said, neither any response came to them nor any indication of implementation of the commitment to root out corruption. Expressing his ire, Barbhuiya continued to say that even in respect of selection of food security cards and deprivation of genuine target people, the food and civil supply department similarly maintained strange silence.
The Kalain block committee of KMSS had submitted a representation to the circle officer of Katigorah, detailing the mes of genuine beneficiaries and the deprived poor people, this has also fallen on deaf ears. Till date, their representation remains unswered, not to talk of action. In view of the indifferent attitude of the public utility departments concerned, KMSS has no altertive than bring out a torchlight procession against corrupt practices with posters and banners. The KMSS has sought the cooperation of the Deputy Commissioner in this respect. The memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar today was signed by KMSS general secretary Rukan Uddin Barbhuiya.