Allegations of large-scale fund misappropriation under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) housing scheme have surfaced in Dhubri district. The alleged scam, centered in the Howrarpar and Motirchar Gram Panchayats, has raised serious concerns about corruption and the welfare of genuine beneficiaries who have been deprived of their rightful housing support. Local residents and beneficiaries have demanded an immediate investigation into the matter, as fraudulent claims using fake photographs and documents appear to have been made to divert funds intended for the construction of homes for the underprivileged.
The PMAY-G scheme, launched by the central government, aims to provide affordable housing for rural families living below the poverty line. Under the initiative, eligible beneficiaries are entitled to financial assistance for building homes. However, the recent allegations in Dhubri suggest that some officials have exploited the system for personal gain, leaving deserving families without the promised aid.
According to reports, the Howrarpar and Motirchar Gram Panchayats in Dhubri district were supposed to be among the beneficiaries of the PMAY-G scheme. However, instead of using the funds for the construction of homes for the impoverished, it is alleged that officials fabricated documents, submitted fake photographs, and siphoned off substantial amounts of the allocated funds. These fraudulent claims bypassed the legitimate beneficiaries, preventing them from receiving the crucial financial support they were entitled to under the scheme.
Affected villagers have expressed their outrage at the unfolding scandal. Many of them have come forward to say that they had been waiting for years for the promised assistance to build homes but were never included in the official records. Instead, they have watched helplessly as funds meant for their welfare were diverted elsewhere. Some beneficiaries reported that they had been told their applications had been rejected, while others were completely unaware that their names had been included in the lists of beneficiaries under false pretenses.
The extent of the alleged misappropriation has sent shockwaves through the community. Villagers have been demanding answers, with many of them urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. The situation has become even more concerning as some have pointed out that it is not just a few isolated cases of fraudulent activity but a systemic issue that may involve multiple levels of governance. The alleged misuse of funds has cast a shadow over the transparency and accountability of government schemes meant to uplift the marginalized sections of society.
Local political leaders have joined the call for a probe into the alleged scam, with several of them accusing the district administration and certain panchayat officials of turning a blind eye to the issue. The opposition has criticized the state government for its failure to ensure the proper implementation of the PMAY-G scheme and has called for immediate corrective action to ensure that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
In response to the allegations, district officials have promised a swift investigation into the matter. The state government has also assured that the guilty parties will be held accountable, and those who have been deprived of their benefits will be compensated. However, the promise of justice remains to be seen as the investigation progresses.
This incident has raised broader concerns about the management of government welfare schemes, particularly those aimed at the rural poor. Critics argue that such incidents are not isolated but reflect a deeper problem of corruption and mismanagement within the system. They emphasize the need for stricter monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure that welfare programs like PMAY-G are not hijacked by corrupt officials but reach the people they are meant to help.
As the probe into the Dhubri scam unfolds, the residents of Howrarpar and Motirchar Gram Panchayats, along with many other rural families, are hoping for a fair investigation that will not only bring the perpetrators to justice but also restore their faith in government programs aimed at improving their lives. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar investigations into fund misappropriation across the state and the country, ensuring that the promises made to the poor and marginalized are not undermined by those entrusted with administering them.