IMPHAL, Dec 6 � Manipur-based Thadou Students� Association (TSA), Chandel district and Kuki Students� Organisation (KSO), Khengjoy Block, have demanded immediate termination of the Block Development Officer (BDO) of the Khengjoy TB block in the border district for his alleged misappropriation of government fund meant for the needy villagers living across the 134 villages of Chandel district.
A memorandum highlighting the grievances of the villagers of the block due to the alleged high-handedness of the BDO, Md Nazimuddin Shah, a resident of Kshetrigao village under Imphal East district, which is jointly signed by vice-president Ngamsei Touthang of KSO, Khengjoy block and president Thongkhovum Khongsai of TSA Chandel district, was submitted to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today.
The said officer allegedly has been deducting 5 per cent of Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme fund from each and every villages since the last five years which amounted to Rs 1,67,96,614, the memorandum alleged. It further alleged that recently the said BDO supplied Sony digital cameras (DSC-W630) to each village chief for subsequent deduction of the price from each MGNREGS fund, it said. But he charged Rs 13,000 for each camera whereas, the price of a camera was Rs 8,990 at UK Enterprises, a camera shop in Imphal, and Rs 7,990 as per company printed price. �When he was requested to disclose the amount allotted to each village, he threatened them to withhold the fund. Moreover, he had also deducted a fractional of amount of MGNREGS fund from every village,� the memorandum claimed.
In buying 134 cameras, the officer made a profit of more than Rs 7,42,500 which he misappropriated from MGNREGS fund, it charged. The said officer also reportedly insisted the village chiefs to sign on blank cheques, the memorandum said. �He (the officer) runs the BDO office at his private residence at Khergao in Imphal East.
�If the government neglecting the sentiments of the public does not fulfil our demand within December 15, we are going to launch any kind of agitation and for any future untoward incidents the government would be responsible,� the memorandum cautioned. The said BDO could not be contacted for his comment.
