DC compensates IAY scam victim

Original Source: The Imphal Free Press

Update (February 21): Please refer to the clarification published in the Imphal Free Press (HRLN Director apologizes for false report) on February 21 regarding the February 18 original news item below.

IMPHAL: Feb 18: In a case related to swindling of money under the Indira Awaj Yojna scheme, executive director of District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Thoubal district has compensated a sum of Rs 25,000 to the victim.

Meihoubam Rakesh, director, Human Right Law Network (HRLN) in a press release stated that, a complaint was lodged against non payment of financial assistance under the said scheme by the executive director who is also holding the post of Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal.

The complainant identified as Potsangbam Sobita Devi of Wangjing Tekcham Leikai complained after she ascertained facts through the Right to Information Act, 2005. She found out that under the IAY scheme implementation in Wangjing Gram Panchayat, she found a counterfeit Actual Payee Receipt (APR) purportedly issued to her which bears a thumb impression supposedly to be her own. As Sobita had not signed any documents nor received any benefits from the scheme, she was dumbfounded to know that a sum of Rs 11,250 was released to her name which has not received at any point of time.

In this regard, Sobita lodged a complaint to the executive director, DRDA on February 14 and consequently she was summoned by the said officer on February 17 and handed a sum of Rs 25,000 which she was supposed to receive under the said scheme. The HRLN press release further stated that such incidents of swindling of IAY beneficiaries by unscrupulous public servants have been happening in many parts of Manipur due to failure of the higher authorities to check such corrupt practices, the organization has been assisting such unfortunate victims as Sobita to help get justice, the release added.