Misappropriation of PMAY-G funds alleged under Bokajan Development Block

A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAJAN: Alleging embezzlement of funds sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Garmin (PMAY-G), beneficiaries in 24 No. Deopani MAC constituency under Bokajan LAC in KarbiAnglong have urged the KAAC authorities to immediately intervene and expedite refund of the embezzled amount so that the beneficiaries could complete the construction of their houses on time.

A total of 670 beneficiaries received PMAY-G house allocation under Deopani MAC constituency in the year 2019-20. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,30,000 into the account of these beneficiaries for construction of rural concrete house under PMAY-G. However, the residents expressed dismay over the vendor for failing to expedite the construction process even after withdrawing the amount credited into their accounts by the government.

The Centre deposits the allocated amount in the account of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in instalments over a three-year period. This is done for transparency and to ensure that the funds are not misused or diverted like the previous schemes. However, a dubious network of politicians and department officials has introduced the 'vendor' system to exploit the poor beneficiaries in the rural pockets of KarbiAnglong.

As per allegations of the beneficiaries, the so-called vendor who was to provide construction materials to the 670 beneficiaries, had withdrawn the amount deposited in the first phase by making the illiterate beneficiaries sign a consent letter without their knowledge.

Corruption is deep-rooted in the hill district of KarbiAnglong. Such irregularities in PMAY-G are not limited to the Deopani constituency alone. Every constituency under KAAC has the same vendor system entrusted with the blessings of the local representative. Now, what remains to be seen is whether the KAAC authorities take note of the prevailing situation and initiate punitive measures against the erring officials and the political representatives.

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