By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Another scam in the implementation of the NREGS scheme surfaced in the Ri-Bhoi District of the state after RTI findings revealed that wages of several card holders from the area have been withdrawn without their knowledge.
“Many of the job card holders in different villages of Ri-Bhoi have been deprived of their rights as the members of their respective VECs allegedly forged their signatures to collect the wages”, Shonlang Rympei – a job card holder from Umdaitkhla Bhoirymbong in Ri Bhoi district told reporters here on Wednesday.
As per the RTI findings for Mynsain village, the wages of more than 10 job card holders (Rs 3000 per person) is being withdrawn without their knowledge for the last one year by the members of the Mynsain VEC.
Similarly in Lumdaitkhla Bhoirymbong and Lumsohpieng Bhoirymbong, the VEC members have withdrawn the money (Rs 4000 each) of four job card holders by forging their signatures.
The NGO HNYF has also expressed concern over the alleged scam in the centrally sponsored scheme. The NGO alleged that even an FIR was filed against the Chairmen and Secretaries of the three VECs but no action has been taken as yet.
Wassing Syiem, one of the other job card holder from Mawtneng, said, “The RTI findings filed have revealed that a total amount of Rs 6.52 lakh out of Rs 12.88 lakh sanctioned for five projects under the DRDA have been misused by the Mawtneng VEC”.
“We demand that actions should be taken accordingly”, Syiem said while informing that the Deputy Commissioner is proposing to conduct another inquiry into the matter.