SBM funds scam surfaces in block Achabal Anantnag, RTI reveals

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag,11 December: Misappropriation of  Government funds under the SBM scheme has come to the fore in village Sandoo and Imoo area of Block Achabal in south Kashmir’s Anantnag District.

The matter came to the fore after an applicant filed an RTI number BDOA /1731-33 Dated 7-11-2020 which reveals that funds under the scheme have been misused and were credited to the government employees, who are not eligible for the scheme. RTI reveals that several people also have withdrawn money twice under the scheme in Sandoo and imoo village of Achabal in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, which is a gross violation of the scheme.

Some official sources told Arising state that it is unfortunate that people who already have a toilet in their house and are well established were provided toilets under the scheme. There are huge scams surfacing in other villages also, sources said. Added that the deserving beneficiaries of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) were denying the benefits of such schemes instead of giving it to government employees who already have toilets in their homes. This is an injustice to poor families who have not even a single toilet in their houses. Authorities should take action against those officials/employees who are involved in these scams, sources said.

In some cases where the construction of toilets has been approved in other villages, the beneficiaries have not been paid the money yet. They are being made to make rounds of offices like beggars by the concerned authorities. The most deserving people are still not been covered under the SBM, sources said.

Meanwhile, talking to the Arising State concerned BDO Arsheed Ahmad said that his busy schedule during the election duty is hampering his interference in official matters, however, he will get back to work in two days and look into the matter.