AYC alleges fund misuse in WGH irrigation project

SHILLONG: The Garo Hills based A·chik Youth Council (AYC) has petitioned Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to institute an inquiry into the construction of Ringdee micro irrigation project in West Garo Hills District alleging misuse of funds.
In its petition to the chief minister, submitted through the West Garo Hills deputy commission, the AYC quoted RTI documents and said the irrigation project was sanctioned in 1999-2000 at an estimated cost of Rs 2,72,05,000. Again in 2009-10, the department sanctioned Rs 5,95,63,000 for the same project as a revised estimate and allotted the same to Binoy Ghosh and Kalpana A Sangma for implementation.
Though a large amount of money was spent for the project the farmers have not benefitted from it as the mini dam does not provide any water for irrigation.
“Neither the farmers nor the villagers are benefitting from the project. The scheme meant for the welfare of farmers was converted into a profit making venture by some vested people,” the council alleged.
The project was estimated to cater to 131 families from the villages of Okkapara Songma, Mellim, Alabagiri, Anteka, Chengkurigiri and Santariri with a total command area of 500 hectares of agricultural land.
Pointing out to another case of fund misappropriation, the NGO said an scheme for adoption of anti- erosion measures in Ringdee Okabra village was sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 34 lakh but the project was never implemented.