Prime Minister Awas Yojana Scam Exposed in Dhakuakhona

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: At a time when Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has vowed to build a corruption-free State, a scam on implementation of Prime Minister Awas Yojana has come to light in Dhakuakhona, the Legislative Assembly Constituency which is being represented by State P&RD Minister Naba Kumar Doley. The scam has proved that corruption is still haunting the State machinery, thus depriving genuine stakeholders from availing the benefits of government-sponsored schemes.

Hemanta Taid, son of Ghanaram Taid, living at Ayengia village under Barshamukh Gaon Panchayat in Dhakuakhona LAC of Lakhimpur alleged manipulation of his BPL ID number by another Hemanta Taid, son of Haramohan Taid, living in the same village for allotment of a house under PMAY. Hemanta Taid, son of Ghanaram Taid, stated that a house under PMAY was allotted to him in 2018-19. But the other Hemanta Taid, son of Haramohan Taid, who is also a local leader of Sanmilita Gana Shakti, withdrew an amount of Rs. 1,10,000 by manipulating the BPL ID number of the genuine beneficiary. The victim further alleged that the secretary of the Barshamukh GP, its former president, Gram Rozgar Sahayak and the ward member concerned were directly involved in the forgery.

“On the other hand, David Kumar Borah, the former Block Development Officer of Ghilamora Development Block, had safeguarded the accused for the three months without taking any action against him,” alleged the victim

The accused Hemanta Taid, who lost the panchayat election contesting as anchalik panchayat member from the Barshamukh GP, allegedly manipulated the ID number of the genuine Hemanta Taid AS-1051-616 and the withdrew the amount in two schemes taking the advantage of being the namesake. In this regard, though the beneficiary organized a public meeting and filed a complaint before the Lakhimpur DC, he has not been given justice.

He attempted to lodge a case at the police station concerned two months back. Getting this information, the BDO concerned assured to allot the PMAY house to him and made him signed an agreement with a promise of not filing a case in future. But the amount withdrawn by the accused has still not been given back to the genuine beneficiary even after two months have passed since the BDO gave the assurance. The poor beneficiary has expressed resentment and decided to lodge an FIR.

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