Misuse of MGNREGS fund
JOWAI: The Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills District has issued a directive to the VEC (Village Employment Council) Chairman, and VEC Secretary of Larnai village to refund an amount of Rs.6,40,500, which they had misappropriated, within a period of three month failing which, suitable legal action will be initiated against both of them.
The order issued on January 21 also disqualified both the VEC Chairman and VEC Secretary from holding their posts.
It may be mentioned that through the Right to Information Act (RTI), the FKJGP, Thadlaskein Circle, detected that the VEC Chairman, who is also the headman of Larnai, and the VEC Secretary has misused the fund meant for developmental works under MNREGA.
Following a complaint lodged with the West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner by as many as 19 people who are permanent residents of Larnai village, a magisterial enquiry was ordered to unearth the truth.
The inquiry confirmed the charge against the Chairman and Secretary of the Larnai VEC.
According to the complaint lodged by residents of Larnai village, the VEC Secretary Philda Lamare and the VEC Chairman cum Rangbah Shnong, Agustre Lamare, fraudulently withdrew the money meant for implementation of MGNREGS in the village by using fake names of suppliers.
The names of T Nongrum and O Shadap, both residents of the village, were used as suppliers of materials and a amount of Rs.3,69,400 and Rs.1,64,100 was shown to have been paid to them. Both Nongrum and Shadap later denied that they had supplied any material.
