Three days after job card holders of Purnanagar, West Garo Hills, reported alleged cases of corruption undertaken by Village Employment Council (VEC) functionaries, the All Meghalaya Minority Students’ Union (AMMSU) has asked for an inquiry into the matter.
In a press statement today, president of AMMSU, Nur Islam, stated that the matter of misappropriation of funds meant for the people of Purnanagar was serious and needed action to be taken.
Earlier, various VECs in the area had similar complaints of corruption, which were then taken up by the Lokayukta and cases were filed against many of the VEC functionaries. However, concrete action against them is still to see the light of day, despite glaring data that lends weight towards the allegations.
“We condemn the act of corruption done at this time of crisis by the VEC president and secretary and urge the Block Development Officer of the Demdema Block to initiate a spot inquiry and act accordingly if evidence is found against them,” said Islam.
In a complaint to the BDO, PR Sangma, the job card holders of the VEC pointed to many projects allegedly shown as completed on the MGNREGS (rural employment guarantee scheme) website that have not even been touched upon.
The complainants listed two projects – one for community land development at Purnanagar SSA Lower Primary School during the 2019-20 financial year and the construction of a school playground in 2020-2021 for which money has been withdrawn without so much as a brick being laid.
Another work order has been issued in the name of ‘construction of CC Jeepable road’ with the work being diverted to the road connecting the house of a particular person.
Another accusation levelled against the VEC functionaries is that they are holding on to job cards and refusing to hand them over to the holders.
