TURA: Yet another instance of corruption in schemes meant for development of the region has emerged with two proposed constructions in Williamnagar left incomplete, even though on paper the projects have mentioned as completed in 2010.
The FKJGP Williamnagar circle pointed out two projects – construction of a retaining wall and a culvert – which still remain incomplete even after seven years of their sanction. The two projects were to come up simultaneously in Balsrigittim in Williamnagar to help build a pathway for the residents of the area. The total cost of the two projects together comes to around Rs.2.70 under the Centrally-sponsored Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY).
Irked with the non-completion of the two projects, villagers shelled out money from their own pockets and built a wooden bridge.
“This is really inconvenient for all of us. We know that the money has been sanctioned, but it has not helped us at all,” a villager complained.
The Urban Affairs Department and the Williamnagar Municipal Board had been assigned responsibilities for construction of the two projects whose status, according to an RTI revelation, had been shown as already completed way back in 2010. The RTI also revealed that the whole amount sanctioned for the project had already been withdrawn.
Reacting to the anomaly, the FKJGP said, “The project was supposed to help build a footpath right up to the current MDC’s house, but has not reached the place. We are not aware if the total amount of the sanction was enough to complete the project. However, if the money was not enough, we want to know who sanctioned the project without taking a look at the place itself. This seems a gross waste of public money and has to be addressed immediately.”
The FKJGP also demanded that development projects are sped up as according to them they are unnecessarily being delayed. “Everyone responsible for projects within the region should hasten their works so that the people of the region can see some signs of development,” the Federation said.
Meanwhile, the FKJGP also made a shocking allegation that the Urban Affairs Department in Williamnagar had been functioning without an Executive Engineer for the past 30 years which has been the main hurdle in the path of development in the region.