TURA, Jan 8: The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that despite the sanctioning of funds by the Centre to the Meghalaya government for various activities, beneficiaries such as self-help groups (SHGs), farmer producer organisations (FPOs), clubs and other registered organisations are yet to receive the same.
“The funds failed to reach the beneficiaries and the NPP-led state government is answerable for these lapses. Funds are yet to be credited to the accounts of these groups. Departments concerned and administration did not take satisfactory initiative to make the public aware. It has come to the knowledge of the central leaders that funds are not dispersed into the accounts of the beneficiary groups and administration is answerable to the union ministers,” state BJP Spokesperson Bernard N Marak on Sunday.
Bernard also said that the recent visit of Union Minister of State (MoS) for Minority Affairs John Barla and the inspection of various projects funded by the Narendra Modi-led central government was an eye-opener to rectify the lapses on the ground.
It may be mentioned that Barla had paid a visit to the recently inaugurated stadium in Tura and tore into the NPP-led MDA government for giving the Centre’s contribution to the project the short shrift and inaugurating the stadium despite the structure remaining incomplete.
Meanwhile, assuring that the BJP is mindful of the alleged anomalies with regard to the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries, the BJP leader has urged all SHGs, clubs and FPOs to submit complaints, if any, to another union minister during his visit to the Garo Hills region.
“Another Union Minister of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry will be coming to Garo Hills. Under National Livelihood Mission (NLM), funds have been allotted to SHGs, FPOs and other registered organisations, which are now being called to open an account and complete all documentations. The frequent visits of union ministers have compelled the authorities to initiate the process of verifying the accounts and other necessary documents of SHGs, FPOs and clubs too,” Bernard said.
It is pertinent to note that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said that some local leaders had instigated Barla to criticise the state government over the inauguration of the PA Sangma stadium.
“We are a federal structure where both state and central governments work together. It is unfortunate that the development work for the betterment of the people is being questioned,” Conrad had said.
