Allegations of corruption and misuse of funds against gaon DRDA

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

gaon, May 8: The gaon DRDA is facing allegations of corruption and misuse of funds, especially in implementation of the IAY scheme. Public anger is palpable in the wake of illegal activities of some panchayat representatives and officials of Rural Development department during allocation of IAY houses.

Information received through RTI revealed massive irregularities in allotment of IAY houses.

According to information, in the 2013-14 fiscal, there were 12,289 houses allotted to the beneficiaries under gaon DRDA. Block wise the data shows that 922 houses were allotted for Bajiagaon block, 205 for Barhampur, 523 for Batradava, 987 for Binkandi, 617 for Dhalpukhuri, 390 for Dolongghat, 254 for Jogijan, 783 for Juria, 1411 for Kaliabor, 2099 for Kathiatoli, 338 for Khagarijan, 534 for Laokhowa, 143 for Lamding, 641 for Odali, 559 for Pachim Kaliabor, 438 for Pakhimoria, 660 for Raha and 767 houses allotted for Rupahihat block.

There are allegations that panchayat representatives and officials of the DRDA were demanding commission from the beneficiaries for disbursing the sanctioned amounts to them.

According to the scheme, the beneficiaries should be given the entire amount against a house through bank accounts. No other person can handle the money of a beneficiary.

But it is alleged that some corrupt officials often withdraws the money in advance by taking sigtures of the beneficiaries in the withdrawal form and supply the materials of a house to them.

Many of the beneficiaries alleged that they had to pay Rs. 10,000 to 15,000 to get an allotment of a house. The categories of BPL, SC, ST were also not maintained while granting of the houses.

Many beneficiaries were paid just Rs. 48,000 even though, according to the revised rate, Rs. 75,000 should be paid against each allotment. The remaining amount has been allegedly misappropriated by some corrupt officials and panchayat representatives who took sigtures from the beneficiaries in withdrawal forms.