Allegations of corruption in implementing P&RD schemes jolt Dhakuakhana

LAKHIMPUR: Consecutive allegations of corruption while implementing the Panchayat and Rural Development (P&RD) Department schemes have rocked the environment of Pub Dhakuakhana Gaon Panchayat under Dhakuakhana LAC during the last couples of days.

During these days, the people of the said Gaon Panchayat took to the streets in order to protest against the irregularities and corruption allegedly patronized by a section of local leaders of the ruling party, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and Customer Service Point (CSP) employees with regard to the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), construction of individual household latrines, siphoning off MGNREGA fund through fake job cards and bank accounts. Despite the zero tolerance attitude of the BJP-led State Government against corruption, the police have allegedly not initiated any step against the accused persons though FIR was lodged against a section of such accused persons.

Under such circumstances, over hundreds of people living at Abhaypur Maj Gaon under the said Gaon Panchayat staged strong protest on Tuesday. They alleged that a section of PRI members, CSP employees and local leaders of the ruling party had siphoned off the last instalment of several PMAY beneficiaries of the village, by manipulating job cards and opening job card accounts in the name of dead persons. Regarding the issues, the deprived beneficiaries burnt the effigy of the P&RD Minister and demanded justice for them against the irregularities. The protesters rocked the environment by shouting slogans against the minister, State Government and demanding for the steps against the alleged corruption.

Notably, the people living at Pachim Indugaon and Maj Indugaon under the same Gaon Panchayat also burnt the effigy of the minister on August 5 being deprived of PMAY houses since a long time. Staging the protest, led by local body of TMPK, those villagers demanded providing PMAY houses to genuine beneficiaries living at Laipuriya Sigachuk, Bhomamiri, Bhomakaposon, Pachim Indugaon and Maj Indugaon under the said Gaon Panchayat. They alleged that the relatives of panchayat members were benefitted with PMAY houses in the area instead of genuine beneficiaries.

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