TURA, Jan 30: The district administration of West Garo Hills has been urged to look into the alleged misappropriation of Special Rural Work Programme (SRWP) funds under Raksamgre constituency after an RTI reply revealed the anomaly.
The Garo Student’ Union (GSU), Western Zone (West), which brought the matter to the notice of West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe, pointed to the fact that all the projects were implemented in the name of one, Tomson Marak.
“The beneficiary of all the schemes is Tomson Marak and they have been withdrawn by his sign and seal and, the money has been siphoned off where the construction was unfounded. No other beneficiaries are mentioned and several crores of Rs seem to have been misappropriated. The maximum number of projects are unsatisfactory not to mention ghost projects in different areas,” the students’ union said, in its complaint.
According to the union, reports from 2018 till 2022 revealed the unsatisfactory implementation of CGI sheet distribution amounting to crores of rupees.
“The distribution of CGI sheets amounting to Rs.6500 for 840 mm width per bundle including 2 nos of ridging per family does not match the budget,” it alleged.
The union added that 200 plus constructions like culverts, RCC bridges, spring chambers, cultural houses, community halls etc were implemented in the name of only one person-Tomson Marak without the projects being visible on the ground.
Pointing out that the money has been siphoned off, the union urged the district authorities to look into the matter.
