Scam alleged in implementation of Handloom Cluster Scheme

From a Correspondent

Goalpara, November 29: An allegation of fincial mismagement has come up against the office of the Assistant Director, Handloom and Textile in its Handloom Cluster Scheme (HCS) at Bakaitary under Matia revenue circle.

The scheme was allotted to 300 weavers of the area for the fincial year 2013-14. To implement the scheme at least 20 self-help groups of 15 members each were constituted, besides opening accounts in the bank. Meanwhile, the HCS has come up with the allegation that during the last two years, the office has arranged only two meetings but no training for the weavers. Of late, the office began construction of 16 sheds for 16 HCS. However, instead of handing over fund to the HCS, the office has begun construction on its own. This led to suspicion and an RTI query was filed seeking detailed information.

The RTI reply showed that the Handloom & Textile office had already received Rs 9.825 lakh as first installment out of total sanctioned amount of Rs 13.485 lakh but not a single rupee was deposited into the accounts of the weavers. Though a trainer to train the weavers was appointed at a monthly salary of Rs 15,000, no training was given to the weavers.  A written complaint was lodged at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on August 18 to which an inquiry at the circle officer level was initiated. But no result has come up so far. At this, the HCS on Tuesday, through the deputy commissioner, submitted a memorandum to the State Textile Minister demanding an inquiry into the alleged corruption in the scheme.

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