Large-scale malpractices in disbursement of subsidy under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) have been reported in Cuddalore and Pudukottai.
More than 30 ineligible beneficiaries have received funds under the Central government funded PMAY in Keerapalayam panchayat union in Chidambaram taluk in Cuddalore district, charged CPM functionary P Vanchinathan.
He had submitted petitions to the district collector, revenue officer and rural development agency officials demanding action against the erring officials and illegal beneficiaries.
He said a section of corrupt government servants, in connivance with miscreants, acting as brokers, had disbursed financial aid to ineligible beneficiaries. They charged a huge amount as commission from the beneficiaries. It worked out to 50% of the financial assistance.
“The instances in Keerapalayam panchayat union is only a tip of the iceberg. We fear that such illegal activities are happening in almost all villages. The government must launch a statewide probe. In Keerapalayam, the name of the beneficiary, on record, is Sivakumar, son of Arumugam. But the financial assistance was given to another person with the same name. We have found four such instances,” said Vanchinathan.
Locals have exposed similar cases in Aavudaiyarkovil taluk in Pudukottai. Fraud in disbursement of funds under PMAY scheme has been reported in all the 35 village panchayats in Avudaiyarkovil union, said K Muthukumar, a resident of Aladikadu. “In all, 192 applications were received under PMAY and official records show 100 houses have been completed. But when we checked, only 30 houses were completed,” said Muthukumar.