NONGPOH: Job card holders under the NREGS have expressed grave concern over the abandonment of the construction of a cemented motorable bridge at Sohkyrbam Domphlang village under Jirang C&RD Block even after the funds sanctioned for the project was withdrawn by the village employment council (VEC) chairman and secretary.
An amount of Rs.4.53 lakh was sanctioned in 2011-12 for the project which remains incomplete till date.
Following complaints by job card holders led by Donbor Sohkhwai, the BDO ordered a spot inquiry on the matter, which has revealed alleged irregularities by the chairman and the secretary of the VEC.
The spot inquiry was conducted on October 2 by Assistant Engineer, T. Kharkamni, and the Gramsevak in charge of the circle.
Taking cognizance of the developments, the BDO ordered the seizure of all related documents of the project from the chairman, C. Doloi, and the secretary of the VEC on October 19. The duo was also terminated from the Sohkyrbam Domphlang VEC.
Talking to The Shillong Times, Sohkhwai said that in the wake of the irregularities, the job card holders had asked the VEC representative to implement the same accordingly but their plea had fallen into deaf ears as the project had been abandoned without completing.
“The job card holders were shocked to learn that though the project had not been completed, the amount sanctioned for it had been drawn by the VEC,” Sohkhwai said.
The motorable bridge is supposed to connect the village with the village graveyard.