One more Pradhan slapped with arrest warrant
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal,September 12, 2012:
In yet another case of misusing fund and irregularities in implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the state, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal West has issued a Warrant of Arrest (bailable) against the Pradhan of Changangei Gram Panchayat, one member and a former Panchayat Secretary.
Announcing this to media at the office of Human Rights Law Network at Paona Bazaar, Advocate Rakesh Meihoubam informed that eight criminal cases were filed by eight individuals of Changangei Gram Panchayat to the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West on September 10. Accordingly, the Chief Judicial Magistrate ordered Y Rother, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal West yesterday to take up the cases.
Rakesh further informed that out of the eight cases, the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal West has taken up one case and interrogated two witnesses.
After hearing the complaints, a Warrant of Arrest has also been issued against Phuritsabam Ongbi Loidang (43), the Pradhan of Changangei Gram Panchayat; Member of ward number II Abujam Ranjit (48) and former Panchayat Secretary Hijam Ratanbir (45) along with directing Lamphel Police to produce the said accused persons in the court on September 21. According to the complainants, various works which were supposed to be taken up under MGNREGS in Changangei Gram Panchayat including 'improvement of road with shingling at Heigrumakhong to Tamphagei Taba', have not been executed as per the guidelines given by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India from time to time.
In addition to withdrawal of the funds sanctioned without proper execution of the works, the wages of the job card holders have been withdrawn without their knowledge and authorization after forging their signatures.
Rakesh Meihoubam informed that the court has fixed September 21 for further hearing of the case.