SHILLONG, June 5: A total of 108 families from Umkrem village under Mawthadraishan C&RD Block in Eastern West Khasi Hills are yet to receive the financial assistance of Rs 12,000 each, which they were supposed to receive after constructing their toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission 2016-2017.
The construction of these toilets was done under the supervision of the Mawthadraishan C&RD Block through the Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC), Umkrem.
Before the construction work had begun, a decision was taken that while some toilets will be constructed by the VWSC, some will have to be done by the beneficiaries themselves.
All the families, belonging to the Above Poverty Line (APL), managed to complete the construction of the toilets on time.
However, when the VWSC was asked to release the funds which they were supposed to receive as financial assistance for constructing the toilets, the villagers were time and again asked to wait for the past many years.
Meanwhile, one Bhabok Marwein from Umkrem village had filed an RTI application in this regard, which revealed that a work order was issued on February 1, 2017, to the 108 families to construct the toilets.
But interestingly, PIO of Mawthadraishan C&RD Block S. Lyngkhoi did not respond to the question about the details on the funds being released to the beneficiaries.
Lyngkhoi, while speaking to a few reporters over phone, revealed that the fund was already released to VWSC.
Marwien also informed that following a recent meeting between the officials of the block office with the members of the VWSC and the beneficiaries, it was agreed that the financial assistance will be released to all the beneficiaries.
“But till date the beneficiaries have not received anything. It was even agreed to release Rs 10,000 to various beneficiaries,” he said.
At the same time, VWSC chairman Stan Thabah has refused to accept the responsibility and has instead shifted the blame to the Sordar of the village, YN Thabah, who was not available for comments.
