Located about 22 kilometres away from the district headquarters of Haridwar is an indiscreet village, Peeli Gaon. Many residents of this village are ineligible to get grant from the government purportedly on account of the woman Gram Pradhan who is allegedly performing her duties on the say of her own family members. Villagers allege that many a time, her family members are even attending the official meetings and making deals in certain welfare schemes of state and centre governments thus depriving the eligible poor beneficiaries while the district officials have failed to take action in the matter.
When this correspondent visited the place, it was revealed by some villagers that they have not been able to get their dues since January 2018 in governmental schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
It is alleged that out of Rs 1.3 lakh, the Gram Pradhan is asking for a share of up to Rs 20,000. If someone is unable to pay that amount, their file is not forwarded. Pushpa, a 27 year old widow from the same village has been trying since last year but to no avail.
It is learnt that ADO Bahadrabad is appointed as investigating officer of Peeli Padav Gram Panchayat in PM Awas Yojana.
A samaritan, Jasvinder Singh rose to the plight of these poor women and made the complaint online but despite his good intention and efforts, things are not paced up. He said, “When I talked to VDO, he told that Pushpa’s name is not in census 2011 list so she cannot get grant.” Regarding Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), when this samaritan working in Indian Navy followed with the person handling CM helpline where he had lodged complaint, he was told that since CPGRAMS is not integrated with CM helpline so they can’t transfer complaint to Panchayati Raj department.
It is also alleged that works and meetings of the lady Gram Pradhan are handled by her brother in-law who expects certain monetary benefits for forwarding the papers to the officials. He has allegedly also started warning Pushpa asking her why she had made the complaint online at CM helpline.
When asked about the issue, the Bahadrabad ADO Rajbir Singh said, “I am aware of the case. Since model code of conduct is in place, we cannot release the money. Once it is over, the beneficiaries shall be taken care of.”