Gross irregularities in employment gurantee scheme detected

Kishanganj, May 04 (UNI) Sikander Alam, a resident of Kochadhaman village from a below poverty line (BPL) family was given a job card which entitled him to, at least 100 days employment in a year or financial benefit in its lieu under the centrally-sponsored National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

His job card was taken by the Welfare Officer of Kochadhaman block but his name figured in the employment and pay list.The fact, however, remains he neither got any job nor money for it.

His is not the only solitary example. There are, at least sixteen such persons in the same village in this district who have been duped.

After running from pillar to post, these BPL beneficiaries had finally filed a petition before the District Magistrate, seeking redressal of their grievances.

A representative of the petitioners said, "Hum logon ko na hi koi kaam mila aur na hi koi paisa" (We neither got any job nor money). ''Our job cards bearing nos.955,959,948,among others,are crammed with forged signatures,'' they maintained.

Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) Lallan Ji, talking to newsmen here today said, " We shall surely initiate action once these complaints are brought to our notice." UNI