The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) Northern Zone has accused the Block Development Officer (BDO) and programme manager of favouritism in the allotment of supply of materials to various beneficiaries under the Kharkutta C&RD Block in North Garo Hills.
In a complaint submitted to the director of community and rural development, the GSMC alleged that despite an order from the district administration of the VECs under MGNREGA being allowed to choose the suppliers of saplings for plantation, only a favoured few are being given as choices to the VECs.
“They are not getting a chance to choose their supplier but are being forced to choose the suppliers that the BDO and programme manager are putting forward. These suppliers are not reliable as per the accounts of the VEC members,” said Rahul Marak, the Northern Zone chairman.
As per the NGOs, initially in 2019, there were only three suppliers to the Block but after norms allowed more people to become suppliers and currently there are seven such suppliers. The C&RD Block consists of 176 VECs.
“When suppliers were less, the demand for materials was greater. However as per VECS, they were made to wait for supply by some of these vendors which led to delay in completion of work. There were also some who continued to supply without failure,” Marak added.
GSMC added that when the villagers chose those suppliers who had continued to supply, they were surprised that these same suppliers were now not getting the opportunity to do so. They are allegedly being forced to take materials from those suppliers who the BDO and PM provide them with.
“The norm says that the VECs have the right to choose their vendors but the above officers are violating this right by forcing those people they favour to supply to these VECs. These powers are being exercised illegally and without consent,” said Marak through the release.
The GSMC has sought an investigation into the matter concerned while seeking action against the named officers, if they are found guilty. The complaint was filed on October 16.
