Headman extorts, involve in housing scam

SHILLONG, NOV 12: Umdapdamu village headman Beral Maring allegedly lied to people by claiming that the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)- a scheme popularly known as housing for the rural poor- was a ‘gift’ or ‘support’ from the village authority and even extorted money from poor BPL families of the village.

The village located in Ri Bhoi district was taken for a ride by the village headman and the misappropriation was fortunately unearthed by the Poor People’s Movement (PPM) through an RTI findings provided by the Umling’s Block Development Office (BDO)

“The headman of Umdapdamu Beral Maring has told the beneficiaries that the scheme is a gift to the poor from the village,” PPM president L Dohtdong told reporters on Friday. He, however,informed that as per the RTI, one of the beneficiaries D Nongshli, whose name figured in the list of beneficiaries of the scheme had drawn the first installment which at Rs 18, 000.

“The RTI also revealed that the second and third installment was not taken as there was no demand from Nongshli,” he said adding that on enquiry it was found that Nongshli had divided the money between her and the Rangbah Shnong.

“According to Nongshli, she was told that the money was a Christmas gift by the Rangbah Shnong,” he said adding “When approach the headman said that the money which he took was around Rs 6000 and he had already spent.”

Six other BPL families were also made to pay Rs 5000 each as the headman had told them it was necessary to give the Gram Sevak  “tips”.

“The Gram Sevak, when asked why he had to take money, which tantamount to extortion, instead told us that it was the idea of the Rangbah Shnong, who had in turn blamed him just to tarnish his image,” Dohtdong said adding “The Rangbah Shnong and the Gram Sevak would also pass the buck to  each other when confronted on the way the scheme is being implemented in the village.”

PPM president informed that he would soon lodge an FIR against all involve in misleading the people, misusing of powers, and mi sappropriation of the scheme. “We would file an FIR against headman and others besides taking up the matter with the Community and Rural Development (C&RD) authorities for necessary actions,” he said.

Highlighting on the other anomalies, PPM vice president Robert Maring informed that the RTI has also revealed the names of beneficiaries who are outside the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list.

“During 2014-15, one Tristina Nongshli, who was not found in the BPL list and also not a resident of the village, had avail the scheme by lying that she had availed the scheme in the name of her uncle, Pay Nongshli,” Maring said.

Stating that the scheme is not transferable, he said that when we asked as to how she managed to get the scheme, Tristina told us that we cannot interfere since it’s a family matter.

However, her uncle Pay denied having given his consent to her as he had already avail the scheme since 2010-2011, he said.- By Our Reporter