Misuse of Central funds slur on Zoramthanga's govt

Aizwal, Aug 11: Opposition Congress in Mizoram here today set ablaze the list of beneficiaries under the Central funds of Bamboo Flowering and Famine Combat Scheme (BAFFACOS).

The party accused the Zoramthanga government for favouring its supporters and depriving the actual beneficiaries. The Mizo National Front (MNF) government has been provided utilising crores of rupees received from the Centre under BAFFACOS.

Congress MLA and chairman of Mizoram Congress Vigilance Cell, Lalrinliana Sailo, accused the state government of including beneficiaries from urban areas though the scheme was meant for rural folks, who are solely dependant on 'jhum' (shifting) cultivation.

The Centre has sanctioned the scheme for combating the impending 'Mautam'- famine followed by bamboo flowering, as villagers depending solely on cultivation are to be worst hit by the famine, Sailo said.

BAFFACOS, was initiated by the state government to mitigate the impact of impending 'Mautum' due to gregarious flowering of bamboo, resulting in the explosion of rodent population and subsequent destruction of foodgrains.

He alleged the funds received from the Centre under BAFFACOS were distributed to ruling MNF party workers and also for wooing the rural poor for the coming Assembly polls, scheduled for 2008.

UNI