Malpractice plunder development works in Jawadhu Hills

Malpractice plunder development works in Jawadhu Hills

J Shanmugha Sundaram / published on May 11

Vellore: For the last three years, several development works are off track in the tribal villages of Pudurnadu. Villagers allege that there is large-scale corruption in the administration of the village panchayats and the civic needs of the people, especially drinking water supply and street lights, remain unaddressed.

There are 30 villages with around 20,000 population in three panchayats on the Jawadhu Hills – Pudurnadu, Poongampattunadu and  in Nellivasalnadu – that come under the Alangayam union in Vellore district. Many villagers across the three panchayats said the grama sabha meetings are held like secret closed door meetings, with only a few “selected participants” who mostly have vested interests.

Many said that there were malpractices in the implementation of State and Central government housing schemes – solar powered green houses and Indira Awaas Yojana.

“For instance, at Poongampattu panchayat, over 400 houses have been constructed under the two schemes since 2011 without following any rules in the selection of genuine beneficiaries. The houses are allotted to persons who are ready to pay a bribe of Rs. 10,000 for IAY scheme and Rs. 20,000 for green houses,” said a villager of  Chinnavattanur in Poongampattu panchayat.

Similarly, panchayat funds were misappropriated in the sinking of borewells. “Nearly eight months ago, borewells were sunk at Kallavur village, Thagarakuppam, Pazhaiyapalayam and near Pazhathottam. These borewells were supposed to have mini power pumps but nothing has been installed till date. A total of RS. 1.50 lakh was allotted for each borewell, but the panchayat members have pocketed the money meant for the pumpsets,” another villager of Kallavur alleged.

Similar stories prevail at Nellivasalnadu. At least three wells dug up here are brimming with water, but none have been connected to over head tanks to supply to households. “We have been facing water scarcity despite having good water in the well nearby. But we are walk to the nearby farmwell for 200 to 300 metres everyday through uneven terrain to fetch water,” said a 27-year-old woman of Nellivasalnadu.

Jayaraman, a retired government employee and resident of Nellivasal, said the grama sabhas are mere formalities in the panchayat. “Mostly, the villagers are not informed about these special grama sabha meetings that have to discuss development works and civic issues. Only selected persons are informed, and a feast is organised for them. Their signatures are obtained and they are paid Rs. 25 each,” he charged the panchayat.

Pudurnadu panchayat too faces a number of civic woes and residents said there are several irregularities. A. Thukkan, a resident of Pudur who runs a Hill Tribe Peoples (ST) Welfare Society, said, he had sought information under Right to Information Act from the three panchayats on development works implemented but did not get a reply.

However, the panchayat president of Nellivasalnadu V. Selvam denied the charges and said they have been conducting the grama sabha meetings as per procedures and all development works were being taken up properly. The presidents of Poongampattunadu panchayat T. Karpagam and Pudurnadu Pandu were not available for their response.

/eom/shan/