Tura(Meghalaya ), Sep 2: Various job card holders from the VEC of Shialkandi under Demdema C&RD Block have filed a complaint with the deputy commissioner of WGH against the BDO of Demdema accusing him to making a mockery of the MGNREG Scheme.
The complaint comes after the BDO did not allocate work to the VEC despite as well as allowing the VEC secretary, who was jailed in a VEC corruption case to continue as the secretary of the VEC.
“We would like to lodge a complaint against the BDO for encouraging the practice of corruption and manipulating the entire MGNREGA scheme and for being irregular in providing developmental schemes to job card holders,” said the complainants.
The villagers complained that out of 157 Job card holders in the VEC only 115 Job card holders were allowed to engage in job card activities.
“The remaining 42 card holders have been denied benefits of MGNREGA schemes since 2019. The BDO has been denying work to the remaining card holders. The action of the BDO is discriminatory in nature and violation of fundamental rights,” they alleged.
They questioned the motive of the BDO when the scheme itself was to help those that were underprivileged.
“He (BDO) is making a mockery by not adhering to the guidelines and objectives. He is indirectly killing the people by indulging in corruption and depriving the undersigned by not giving work. Hence we are lodging a complaint and praying for intervention into the matter,” they added
The villagers through the complaint asked the DC to instruct the BDO to implement the scheme in a fair manner and give benefit of a hundred days’ work to the complainants.
“This will help and provide us ways to survive and live with dignity,” they added.
The villagers further, in the complaint asked as to how the VEC secretary, Mokbul Hussain was still a VEC secretary of Shilkandi when he was lodged in jail on corruption charges.
“The case against him (Mokbul) is still pending in Tura Trial court and he will be convicted at the end of the trial. Surprisingly the BDO is still allowing him to act as VEC Secretary. This is highly condemnable and not acceptable,” they added.
The rules, as per the complainants, clearly state that any person or individual, who is guilty of corruption and involved in committing crimes should not be allowed to hold any responsibility.
“Despite of his involvement in corruption the BDO is allowing him to continue as a secretary,” they alleged.
