Anomalies in NREGA scheme, lakhs of money pocketed at Barapujia Kopilee Block

The people of Monipurtoop village has alleged irregularities in the issuing of job cards under NREGA scheme to the villagers in Monipurtoop under Kopilee block in Morigaon district. During investigation of Assam Times, it came to light that the Panchayat sectrary and the chairman,including some political leaders, of the Monipurtoop village panchayat have pocketed a huge amount of money realesed for the development of the said village. In the name of construction of a village embankment from Kuhimaree PWD road to Bhakotgaon 4 lakhs 94 thousand was sanctioned in 2007-2008, but villagers alleaged that all the money was pocketed by the block officials,panchayat ofiicials and some political leaders leaving only a small portion for the construction. Again in the name of construction of another Bhokotgaon – Rajagaon link road at Koroiguri pothar 6 lakhs was sanctioned but no development was seen there. The same picture was seen in the Adarsha Gaon and NH 37 link road. On this road 3 lakhs was sanctioned for each 1kilometer distance but people alleaged that only 30,000 was invested for the construction work by the contractors. The people also alleaged this correspondent that though the panchayat is availing of the NREGA scheme and there have the required job card employees but still the contractors are bringing the workers from outside of the village for the construction works.

Further, Villagers has also brought allegations of anomalies in the public distribution system. The quantum of rice , sugar, flour, kerosene etc. allotted is much less than the approved quality and quantity. Moreover the price is also higher than what is fixed under PDS system.