Public hearing, spot assessment ordered
TURA: The West Garo Hills district administration has been directed to convene a public hearing and conduct a spot assessment of the works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the Rajabala region of Selsella C&RD Block following large scale complaints of funds misuse and allegations of misappropriation by the village employment councils (VECs) presidents and secretaries.
Rajabala MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Water Resources, Ashahel D Shira, has written to Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi highlighting the plight of the villagers and raising suspicion on the role of some VEC secretaries and presidents in the misappropriation of government funds that had been meant for the villagers who undertook the rural works in their respective areas.
“I have received complaints from various villages regarding misappropriation of MGNREGA funds by the VEC presidents and secretaries,” stated Shira in his complaint letter to Bakshi on Wednesday.
The deputy commissioner has been directed to convene a public meeting and spot assessment in all the villages concerned pertaining to the complaints received within a week’s time.
The Rajabala legislator has informed that he would be participating in the public hearings and spot assessment along with the villagers and has asked the deputy commissioner to ensure the block development officer (BDO), APO, VEC, presidents and secretaries, technical assistants, complainants and concerned job card holders are present during the hearings.
Reports indicate that many villagers who undertook the MGNREGA works were not paid their full dues even after completion of the works despite funds having been released by the block to the VECs.
