JOIN USSpeaking to Deccan Herald, he said Rs 40 lakh misappropriation has taken place in Union Government’s Indira Awas Yojana and the Ashraya Yojana in Markanja Gram Panchayat over the last three years.
“After filing the criminal case, the charges will have to be proved in the court of law. Once charges are proved, then the defaulters will have to pay the fine and recovery of the funds misused can be made,” he said.He informed that the Gram Panchayat Secretary has already been placed under suspension. Under disciplinary action, a separate probe is being conducted against him.
It may be recalled that misappropriation in the GP was realised after Markanja villagers filed application under the Right to Information Act seeking details of sanctions under the Union Government’s Indira Awas Yojana and the Ashraya Yojana, which are meant for below the poverty line (BPL) families and SC/ST beneficiaries.
The villagers had staged a protest, which finally led the Deputy Commissioner to order probe into all the misappropriations in the Gram Panchayat. “Zilla Panchayat had constituted a four member committee including Zilla Panchayat Project Officer, Sullia Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer, Sullia Tahsildar and Sullia special Tahsildar to conduct a probe into the misappropriation of fund. The probe is not complete. On the outset, we have come to know that a sum of Rs 40 lakh has been misused,” he added.
In the meantime, the villagers of Markanja have constituted Brashtachara Virodhi Janajagruthi Samithi with an aim to make Sullia taluk free from corruption and have been staging 24-day indefinite protest to create awareness among public on the misappropriation of funds in Markanja Gram Panchayat and also to urge the district administration to initiate action against the culprits, from November 10.