'Misappropriation of NREGS funds, a mojor issue in panchayat polls'

Statesman News Service

MALDA, May 28: After declaration of election results in the district it was revealed that one of the issues in rural poll campaign at lower tier was misappropriation of funds allotted for national rural employment guarantee schemes (NREGS).The political parties could not retain its existing board where many registered labourers were deprived and ruling party in gram panchayat levels was defeated. In many blocks CPI (M), LF and the Congress and other Opposition parties could not retain seats in this rural poll on this issue. The Congress has recaptured the Olionda gram panchayat in Chanchal sub division which was under the control of CPI (M) and it could not retain the board this time. On charges of misappropriation of funds allotted for NREGS the chief of the board at Olionda, belonging to the CPI (M), was arrested on the basis of the FIR lodged by the administration. Similarly, the Congress could not retain the Malatipur gram panchayat on the same issue. After inquiry administration had found that the Congress led Malatipur gram panchayat misappropriated funds allotted for NREGS.Administrative action was taken against the office bearer of the board after lodging FIR with the police. Finally, based on the issue the CPI (M) has recaptured the Malatipur gram panchayat in Chanchal sub division in this panchayat poll.