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Village headman accused of corruption, Govt orders probe
Published on
Saturday, 29 March 2014
9:53 pm
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Srinagar: A village headman
associated with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party is being accused of
siphoning money meant for the community welfare.
A delegation from Thayan (B) of Kalaroos told GNS that
the Sarpanch, Manzoor Ahmad Malik is ‘committing fraud and corruption’. They
alleged that the Malik has grabbed amassed thousands of rupees which were meant
for poor people.
The delegation said that Malik has illegally recommended
those persons for Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) scheme – who offer bribe. “He
doesn’t sanction cases in the favour of poor families who have no house and are
living under extreme poverty,” a resident, Muhammad Rafiq said.
Despite several requests he hasn’t paid any attention
towards us and ironically he threatens us, one of the delegation member Rafiq
Ahmad said.
Ahmad quoted the Sarpanch, saying: “Nobody can harm me…Go
wherever you wish.”
Another resident, Fareed Ahmad said: “I live in my
uncle’s house. I also went to Sarpanch regarding the sanctioning of case. But,
he demanded bribe from me. I categorically told him that I am not going to pay
even a penny.”
He said that after he declined to pay, Malik all of a
sudden dropped his case from the list.
“In 2010, I was one of the beneficiaries under IAY
scheme. That year, government used to pay 48,000. But Malik paid only Rs
29,000,” said Muhammad Yasin, who was also a part of the delegation.
The delegation said that the Sarpanch not only grabbed
the money from IAY but also from National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(NREGA).
They said that, “Last year, a developmental work under
NREGA was going on in our area. Out of one lac each for three labourers, he
grabbed 40,000 rupees –meant for– Abdul Lateef, Bashir Ahmad and Abdul Majeed,”
adding: “Instead of paying, he hurled abuses on them.”
The delegation further said: “Before being elected as
Sarpanch, Manzoor Ahmad Malik was an ordinary labour, but now he owns property
worth lacs of rupees.” “He has been utilizing the funds for himself instead of
using it for the welfare and development of the Halqa,” the delegation alleged.
The delegation demanded the higher authorities to take a
serious look into the matter and said that the Sarpanch should be sacked with
immediate effect adding that ‘he has sucked our blood’, adding that, ‘the poor
people find it difficult to live under his headship’.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kupwara, Itrat Hussain,
told GNS that the delegation had already met him and he has ordered a probe in
this regard. “A probe has been ordered in this regard and District Panchayat
Officer, Muhammad Shafi is enquiry officer,” the DC said. (GNS)
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