Pallahara: Block Chairman Mukesh Kumar Pal accused local MLA Mahesh Sahoo of siphoning money sanctioned under Gopabandhu Gramin Yojana.
At a press meet, Pal came heavily on the MLA. He accused him of keeping the project costs below Rs 2 lakh so that he doesn’t have to take the chariman’s counter signature.
Pal informed the media that Rs 2, 60, 28, 777 has been sanctioned for 164 projects in 27 panchayats in this block. In order to keep him away and to avoid his counter sign, the MLA with the help of the district administration has been able to keep the cost of all projects below Rs 2 lakh.
Regarding action plans of the projects, Pal further alleged that all the action plans have been designed in such a way that they will favour the workers of the ruling party. A block chairman must be consulted before preparing project lists. “But I have not been consulted for any projects,” he further alleged.
“Nine roads in Bandhabhuin panchayat are going to be concreted under the project. But how can the work be done in just Rs 1 lakh, he asked adding that even if it was done, what would be the quality of the work is understood better.
He demanded that the present action plan should be annulled. If it is not cancelled, all the panchayat samitis would be made non functional,” threatened Pal.
When asked, block development officer Tribikram Kumura said he had nothing to do in it as all the projects had been passed in district level committees.
In his reaction, MLA Mahesh Sahoo termed Pal’s allegation as baseless. He said the block chairman has the power to ask account details of each and every project. He also alleged that because of the block chairman developmental work has come to a crawl in this block.
PNN