Two Lokayukta cases have been filed by various job card holders against the alleged inaction in the cases of corruption by the VEC office bearers with the BDO of Demdema C&RD Block, P R Sangma, also being named as an accused.
The villages of Nayagaon (I and II) and Shialkandi (Nayagaon) have accused the BDO of turning a blind eye to cases of corruption that have been informed to him from time to time while also failing to act on the order of the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills in filing FIRs against those VEC leaders accused in corruption.
More than 10 cases of corruption by VECs under the Demdema Block have been reported leading to an investigation taking place under the SDO Dadenggre as well as another police investigation on account of the directions of the Lokayukta.
The petitioners had highlighted that in both VECs the secretary and presidents instead of paying them their due wages have resorted to threatening them with dire consequences.
“We had no other option than to approach the Lokayukta as the BDO was adamant in not taking action against the guilty VEC leaders. Imagine even a government order for filing FIRs against those VECs involved in corruption was not done by him. We now seek justice from the Lokayukta,” said one of the petitioners, Zakir Hussain.
The complainants highlighted how wages were being drawn in the names of expired people (10 in Nayagoan I&II) and (9 in the case of Shialkandi), with the VEC office bearers signing on their account.
Further they also added that many of the job card holders (52 in Nayagaon 1&2) and (40 in Shialkandi) have not been paid their wages, despite their complaints to authorities. The complainants added that money was withdrawn in their names despite them not receiving a penny.
They accused the BDO, of not holding elections for VEC representatives despite the norm. Sangma allegedly showed them as elected despite no elections or meetings being held.
“Even when the VEC secretaries were suspended, they were still allowed by the BDO to withdraw wages money. He has been refusing to act against them despite orders to do so. He was asked by the mission coordinator to file a status report in July but he has shockingly refused to even that,” added another petitioner, Ahinur Islam.
The complainants also added that despite there being a clear order to deposit job card holders money into their accounts, the authorities have been shying from doing so and paving the way for corruption.
The two complaints were filed earlier this week.
