Dimapur, September 26 : The Yimchungrü Akherü Arihako (YAA) has sought clarification (in writing) from the Director of Rural development, Nagaland before October 15, 2016 on ‘Zero tolerance on deduction of MGNREGA scheme’, ‘Convergence Fund’ etc. to steer clear the matter.
In a representation to the RD Director, the YAA said it was brought to its notice that the villages under Rural Development Block of Shamator, Chessore, Pungro and Khongsa were allegedly induced to put their initials/signatures on VDB cheque books of their respective villages by his office. It also alleged that the VDB secretaries are ‘inexplicable’ in the matter which has further provoked altercation amongst the public. The representation was appended by YAA speaker Mosa KVZ and general secretary L Akhang.
Zero tolerance on deduction of MGNREGA scheme
The YAA said the deduction of MGNREGA funds under Shamator and Chessore Block of Tuensang district is 40% (approx) out of the total sanctioned amount while in case of Pungro and Khongsa Block under Kiphire district it is upto 50% of total sanctioned amount. It said the VDB secretaries were allegedly forced to sign on blank cheques “which is very questionable and cannot be tolerated”.
In this regard, the YAA highly questioned the department for deducting such a huge amount meant for the poor villagers of job card holders and asked it to furnish the documents under which acts and guidelines the deduction is being done. Furthermore, the YAA strongly urged the RD Director to penalize those erring BDOs for forcing the VDB secretaries to sign on a couple of cheques among which “the other is for the department deduction”.
Convergence fund
The YAA also learnt that the convergence funds are diverted from the MGNREGA of job card holders. It, therefore, sought to know the acts and guidelines under which the MGNREGA funds were diverted as ‘convergence fund’ which actually is sanctioned for the villagers/job card holders.
The YAA demanded that the RD authority initiate disciplinary action against BDO, Pungro for allegedly threatening the innocent VDB secretaries to sign on blank cheques stating that “it is the directive of the higher department authority and the demand of the Union Minister for Rural Development as a bribe against the sanctioned of MGNREGA”. It further requested RD Director to intimate it in writing the action taken report against the said erring officers.
The YAA also urged him to redress the matter within the given stipulated time lest it will be compelled to initiate further necessary measures for appropriate redressal.
