By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The transfer of a BDO from East Khasi Hills to South Garo Hills has kicked up a storm with NGOs claiming that the official was transferred as a ‘punishment’ for attempting to clean up the corrupt system.
The NGOs allege that MS Sangma, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Mawryngkneng has been transferred to Baghmara in South Garo Hills as a punishment for challenging the rampant corruption in the implementation of the MGNREGS at Mawryngkneng village.
Earlier, several NGOs including the KSU and FKJGP had alleged misuse of MGNREGS funds by the Area Employment Council (AEC), following which Sangma had issued an order on Tuesday last for convening a general body meeting of all the stakeholder such as the Village Monitoring Committee (VMC), job card holders including NGOs in the presence of the representatives from the BDO’s office on December 20.
The NGOs claimed that Sangma wanted to take stock of the various allegations against the AEC and VEC like 10 per cent deduction from every MGNREGS work allotted, fresh election or re-approval of the VEC and also the approval of the financial report of the VEC on all schemes. He had also directed that all the ongoing and new projects under Mawryngkneng VEC shall be suspended temporarily, the NGOs further claimed.
KSU Mawryngkneng Circle president Wanlambok Kharsati has strongly criticized Sangma’s transfer.
“Despite taking over as the BDO only five months back, Sangma was committed to clean up the mess in the implementation of MGNREGS,” he said, while adding that in the past three years, six BDOs had been posted at Mawryngkneng Block.
Kharsati further alleged that Sangma’s transfer was a clear indication that the corrupt AEC and VEC members had good political connections.