The
Kalimpong Farmers’ Welfare Association has accused the Gorkhaland
Territorial Administration of failing to utilise funds sanctioned under
the Indira Vikas Yozana scheme for 2013-14. It said several financially
weak households in the hills are suffering as a consequence.
Association secretary Bishnu Chhetri
said if the GTA does not put to use the funds within this financial
year, they could get withdrawn by the government. Under the scheme, an
eligible household is entitled to Rs75,000 for constructing a house, but
due to the complacency of the GTA, the funds have remained unused, he
added, noting the scheme will benefit BPL households immensely if
properly implemented.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon,
Chhetri said the Association will raise the issue when state Panchayat
department officer Devendra Shankar tours the hills in the near future.
Further, he alleged the 100 days work and the NHDP schemes have not been
implemented in a satisfactory manner. Claiming rampant corruption is
ongoing concerning the 100 days work scheme, the Association secretary
demanded provision of open tenders for distributing items. He further
said no tender announcements have been made so far for suppliers in the
100 days scheme. As a single party is vested with the responsibility of
supplying items, the standard of the materials have declined and this is
affecting efficient work.
According to Chhetri, there are numerous
self-help groups in the hills and the ratio of women workers is quite
commendable. Had there been a provision of open tenders, these self-help
groups, especially the women members, would be helped a long way in
becoming financially strong, he remarked.
Speaking about the NHDP scheme, Chhetri
said each block is entitled to get Rs12 crore in development funds under
the programme. But the GTA is yet to submit an annual action plan to
the government for the year 2014-15. The scheme basically aims at
developing the standard of education at the block level and the funds
are meant to be utilised for infrastructure construction such as school
buildings, fencing, books and stationery and the ICDS programme, said
the Association secretary. He concluded by claiming farmers in the hills
have not enjoyed any benefit from the schemes in place since 2007.(EOIC)