A woman from East Jaiñtia Hills who faced ostracism for exposing corruption in the implementation of the rural employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGS) has taken up her case with the Doloi of Lakadong Elaka after the dorbar shnong of Lama village continue to remain adamant to resolve issues.
Thrina Suchen, of Lama village was allegedly ostracised by the dorbar in 2019 after she lodged two complaints with the BDO and DC on the alleged scams in the village. She was levied a fine of Rs 5000 by the village, which she refused to pay in November 2020.
Till date, Suchen’s case has not been addressed even as yesterday she attended the dorbar called to elect a new headman of the village to raise the issue. However, she was forced to leave the dorbar as members claimed that no women can attend the dorbar but would allow her to come after the meeting.
Following the election of the headman, Suchen met the Doloi and sought to explain the reason for ostracism. “I told the Doloi that even people cannot help me or approach me because there are clear instructions from the headman not to get close to me. Even the ostracism order was not revoked by the dorbar,” Suchen said.
Hopeful that the Doloi would take up her case, Suchen would also petition him in writing to represent her case.
It may be mentioned, that Suchen got into trouble with the dorbar after she exposed corruption in the MGNREGS after filing an RTI whereby it revealed that names of job card holders had been forged.
Another anomaly Suchen pointed out was the disparity in the amount spent for the construction of a village road in 2018-19. The total amount sanctioned was Rs 10.5 lakh, the amount for wages was Rs 6.3 lakh and the amount for materials was Rs 1.94 lakh, this did not tally with the actual amount and Rs 2, 25,720 was missing.
In addition, RTI queries revealed that Rs 1, 59,082 meant for betel nut plantations was missing, while Rs 3, 37,962 and Rs 75,735 were missing for pineapple and orange plantations respectively. Later, the villagers had to purchase the required items from their own funds, she informed.
Meanwhile, social activist Agnes Kharshiing said that the dorbar should have listened to what Suchen has to say and instead chose to ignore her concerns. “It is high time that women too should be allowed to sit in a dorbar, so that they can be heard too,” she added.
