Massive 'embezzlement of funds' in Karimganj

GUWAHATI, May 23: Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has asked Chief Secretary PC Sarma to thoroughly inquire into the allegations of massive embezzlement of funds that were released by both the Centre and the State Government under various schemes in Karimganj district. According to the allegations, the Deputy Commissioner and officials of various departmaents were involved in the massive siphoning of funds. There is also an allegation that without the involvement of a political boss, no official will dare to go for such a massive fund embezzlement. A PIL (No. 34/09) has also been filed in the Gauhati High Court in this connection.

According to sources, the Centre and the State Government sanctioned about Rs 80 crore to various departments like Revenue (flood relief), Agriculture, Panchayat and Rural Development, Industry, PHE, Social Welfare, and Food and Civil Supplies under various schemes in Karimganj district during the fiscal 2007-08, but most of the funds failed to percolate to the target beneficiaries.

According to allegations received by the Chief Minister from a State Government agency, Latu Dashgram Cooperative Society, Rs 7 crore released by the government to the Revenue Department for flood relief did not reach the flood-affected people, Rs 3.65 crore that was released for rehabilitation of flood-affected people was misappr-opriated by the gaon panchayats, 90 per cent of the Rs 12.5 crore released for various schemes under the gaon panchayats were misappropriated by the panchayat secretaries, and Rs 20 crore released for compensation of taluk holders failed to reach the genuine taluk holders while some fake taluk holders got the benefit. It has been further alleged that Rs 4.6 crore was also released for construction of the boundary wall of the Sutarkandi Trade Centre but the tender was given at a rate much higher than the market rate and substandard soil was used in the construction, while the Irrigation Department released Rs 26 crore for development of cultivators but 50 per cent of the amount was released against only five per cent of work done. There are also allegations that rice, flour and kerosene meant for people below the poverty line also do not reach the target groups.

The cooperative society demanded of the Chief Minister to conduct a high-level inquiry into the allegation so that those involved can be exposed.

Allegations

* Rs 7 crore released for flood relief did not reach the flood-affected people.

* Rs 3.65 crore released for rehabilitation of flood-affected people was misappropriated by the gaon panchayats.

* 90 per cent of the Rs 12.5 crore released for various schemes under the gaon panchayats were misappropriated by the panchayat secretaries.

* Rs 20 crore released for compensation of taluk holders failed to reach the genuine taluk holders, while some fake taluk holders got the benefit.

* Rs 4.6 crore was also released for construction of the boundary wall of the Sutarkandi Trade Centre, but the tender was given at a rate much higher than the market rate and substandard soil was used in the construction.

* Rs 26 crore released for development of cultivators, but 50 per cent of the amount was released against only five per cent of work done.

* BPL rice, flour and kerosene also do not reach the target groups.

source: THE SENTINEL