Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 16 2009:
In what could be another serious discrepancy, DRDA Imphal East has sent utilisation certificate to the Government of India for more than Rs 30 crores while the same amount is still is lying ununtilised.
Although an amount of Rs 30,00,10,000 was sanctioned under Indira Awaz Yojana (IAY) for building houses in Imphal East district, no house has been built.
Attempts by The Sangai Express to talk about the matter with the Imphal East Deputy Commissioner proved futile as the DC refused to give appointment.
According to a reliable source, a sum of Rs 40,95,000 was released in February this year as first instalment from the State's share of IAY 2008-09 .
This was followed by Rs 11,16,5000 in May from the additional central share.
Another Rs 14,750,000 was released in the same month as first instalment of the centre share.
The total amount of Rs 30,00,10,000 was meant for construction 683 new houses and upgrading 394 houses belonging to economically backward families.
But the amount could not be utilised as problems erupted between Zilla Parishad and Panchayat over implementation of the scheme.
Even as the huge amount meant to provide some succour to impoverished families is lying intact in the account of DRDA Imphal East, officials of the same office have sent a fabricated utilisation certificate, disclosed the source.
In addition to this amount, 10 percent balance amount from the first instalment of central assistance for IAY for the fiscal 2009-10 and the state's matching share of Rs 57,50,000 were released on November 2 .
The latest amount should be used in construction of 130 new houses and upgrading 80 houses.
An official order issued by the DRDA Imphal East Executive Director/DC instructed that BDOs of Imphal East I and Imphal East II should implement the scheme in consultation with Gram Panchayats.
This instruction has turned out a big stumbling block in implementing the scheme, conveyed the source.
Meanwhile, a meeting held today at Porompat DC office complex has deliberated on implementation of IAY and NREGS in Imphal East district.
The meeting was attended by MLAs of Imphal East district, Zilla Parishad Adhyakshas, Members and the DC.
The meeting resolved to rectify the DC's order and replace the words 'Gram Panchayats' with 'Zilla Parishads'.
The earlier version of the DC's order read as 'BDOs should implement the scheme in consultation with Gram Panchayats'.