Irregularities in IAY alleged in Koraput

Since last five days, the panchayat office has stopped functioning due to simmering tension. The agitating youth here have stuck to their demand and sought action against the Naib Sarpanch.

As per complainants, the Naib Sarpanch has allegedly allocated houses to beneficiaries without conducting palli sabhas (village meetings). The person in question has ignored guidelines and played favoritism, the complainants alleged.

Notably, palli sabhas are a prerequisite for awarding Indira Awas homes to the under privileged people.

However, the Naib Sarpanch brushed off the allegations and maintained to have convened palli sabhas. The person who are complaining were absent during the meetings, she said.

"IAY homes have been allocated to the beneficiaries. Those who have not got the houses have locked the panchayat office. How can house be allocated to people who remained absent during the meetings? Naib Sarpanch Yamuna Khara asked.
 
On the other hand, the Block Development Officer assured that the matter will be looked into and appropriate action would be taken against the accused. The BDO, however, admitted that complaints have been received regarding irregularities.

"There have been reports of irregularities, people have showed their dissatisfaction about it and locked the panchayat office. Once the list is with us, we can initiate an investigation," Bandhugaon BDO Dukhishyam Paika said.  

Meanwhile, the youth are adamant that they would continue to paralyse the functioning of the panchayat office till the matter is resolved.