Assam: Government schemes now reaching deprived beneficiaries in Tingrai

Our Correspondent

DIGBOI: Following recent allegations by a women’s group regarding the unfair distribution of government schemes in several wards under Tingrai Panchayat in Digboi, panchayat office bearers and local liaison leaders have begun taking steps to accommodate genuinely deprived beneficiaries. “Our documents have been sought by the panchayat office and other panchayat leaders, who have assured us that we will receive benefits such as PMAY-G, ration cards, and Orunodoi,” informed a beneficiary on Friday. “My name has finally been enlisted for PMAY-G after several years of waiting,” said another deserving beneficiary, expressing gratitude to the district administration for its crucial intervention. “I received a phone call asking me to submit documents for a new ration card, and a panchayat office bearer assured me of all possible help,” said an economically disadvantaged woman, her eyes filled with hope. Several irregularities in the implementation of government schemes, particularly those aimed at women, came to light after deprived female beneficiaries from several wards organized a public meeting at Tingrai Bongaon Primary School on March 13, chaired by Prava Dutta. Allegations discussed at the meeting included the exclusion and mysterious deletion of names from beneficiary lists, the misallocation of welfare benefits to affluent individuals, the illegal collection of money from poor beneficiaries, and the diversion of scheme benefits to unintended recipients.  The Sentinel English Daily had previously reported on these alleged irregularities on March 14 under the headline “Anomalies Alleged in Implementation of Schemes”. “There is much to be reformed in the allocation of benefits for poor agrarian families in the agriculture and horticulture sectors. Seedlings, including potatoes and paddy, meant for Tingrai residents are being distributed only after charging us transportation fees. Additionally, we pay Rs 20 as an insurance premium but receive minimal benefits from the department,” complained a local farmer. “Whatever is meant for us hardly reaches us adequately,” said members of a BPL family during an interaction with The Sentinel on Saturday afternoon. “Officials responsible for distributing benefits in the village often favour a select group of close associates,” added the aggrieved members.

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