Assam: 4 Including BDO Arrested for Siphoning Money meant for Poor amid Pandemic

Guwahati:

Despite the coronavirus sweeping across the globe and leaving panic, death, and economic ruin in its wake, the disease of corruption is yet to leave human beings, it seems. Earlier today, a BDO and 3 others of Jorshumulu Gaon Panchayat under Kamrup (R) district of Assam were nabbed for allegedly robbing the unfortunate poor of money allotted for them by the state Government.

Four persons, including the the BDO of Goroimari, have been nabbed by officials. The accused are BDO of Goroimari Syed Jainal Hussain (59), Sekandar Ali (53), the Secretary of the Jorshumulu Gaon Panchayat, Sehara Khatun (37), a member of the Jorshumulu Gaon Panchayat, and Mohammad Ramjan Ali (53), agent of Goroimari Somabai Committee.

Official sources said that a complaint was filed after it came to light allegations of corruption pertaining to the process of distribution of Rs 1000 to poor beneficiaries during the time of the pandemic. Based on the complaint, a complaint (case no. 401/2020 u/s 120(B)/467/409 IPC was registered at the Chaygaon Police Station.

After a series of investigations by police, it was found that the officials in the rank of BDO and Panchayat Secretary, member of Jorsimalu Gaon Panchayat in collusion with SamabaySamiti agents and others had colluded in siphoning off Government/Public money meant for distribution among the poor by indulging in 'forgery'.

"To give relief to the poor, the Government has taken some initiatives. One of those was to give an incentive pf Rs 1,000 to the people who do not have cards under the National Food Security Act. Accordingly, the Government assigned the Gaon Panchayat to distribute the amount to the locals. However, in Kamrup's Jorshumulu, there were allegations of corruption", an official told the media.

The official also informed that this case has now reached the notice of the Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who has time and again championed a "zero tolerance" policy towards corrupt practices in the state.

This incident has caused an outcry across the state, with various sections of the media and citizenry up-in-arms and vehemently condemning the act of corruption in truly dire times. The state of the poor has become so pitiable, in fact, the the Prime Minister recently had to announce a Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package in a bid to rejuvenate the ailing economy, while also seeing to provide some much-needed relief to the ailing poor many of whom are out of work. With this incident now coming to light, the poor in Assam, with their eyes fixed on the Government for rescue, are certain to be disheartened further.