100-day Work For Monga Victims
Massive anomaly in listing beneficiaries in Rangpur
Allegations of massive irregularities have been reported against a large number of local body leaders in listing names of beneficiaries under the government's '100 Days Karmo Srijon Karmosuchi' in Rangpur.
The programme was launched on September 15 to provide employment to ultra poor people in northern districts during monga, a pre-harvest lean period when there is not work in rural areas.
Names of people who really do not deserve such benefit have been listed, depriving the needy, sources said.
Allegations have it that many of the local body leaders took Tk 1000 to Tk 1500 from each for listing them under the programme. In Rangpur, 55020 ultra poor people are supposed to be listed for the benefit.
As per the government criterion, one member of each ultra poor family not covered under any support programme is eligible for the benefit and each such person will get Tk 100 a day for workmainly infrastructure development. They will get the support for 100 days.
A number of ultra poor people of Mornea union in Gangachara upazila recently lodged a written complaint to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) that they were not listed under the programme and demanded action against the local UP member.
Samad, Moyazzem, Abdul High, Nurul Islam, Abdul Malek and Ziarul of ward no: 8 told this correspondent that ward member Sha Alam took Tk 1000 from each of them to list their name under the programme.
Fulu, Ambia, and abdus Sattar of wards no: 1, 2, and 3 of the same union brought similar allegations against their female UP member.
Amir Hosen of Ward No: 3 of Mornea union in Gangachara upazila could not be listed as he could not give the UP member Tk 1000, he alleged.
Contacted, Gangachara UNO Abu Naser Mohammad Abdullah said he got complaint and asked the upazila social welfare officer to probe the matter. The committee has not yet submitted its report, he said. Any irregularity in this regard will be punished, he said.
The UNO also said a member of Lakhmitrai UP was arrested last week after probe found irregularities in listing beneficiaries.
Nazrul of ward no: 9 in Chhawla union in Pirgachha upazila alleged that the local ward member Aman Ali and UP chairman Nazir Hosen took Tk 1000 from him to get his name listed.
Manik of the same ward said, “ I gave the ward member Tk 500 and promised to give rest Tk 500 from earnings from the project. But my name has not been listed, he alleged.
A number of people on Monday lodged a complain with the UP chairman and members of Chhawla UP about bribery in this regard.
Similar allegations were brought against members and chairmen of Kandi and Tambulpur UPs in Pirgachha upazila, sources said.
Asked, Chhawla UP chairman of Nazir Hosen denied the allegation.
“Those who were not listed may say like this,” he said
Pirgachha UNO Shahidul Islam however said he is yet to get any such complaint.
Sources at UNO office in eight upazilas if Rangpur district claimed that about 60 per cent of day labouers gave bribe to local UP chairmen and members to enlist their name under the government support programme.
They claimed only 20 per cent of total day labouerers were fairly enlisted and irregularities were done in listing the rest 20 per cent.
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