AN INTERESTING but unfortunate case has been highlighted by media in which a Lady Pradhan not only misused her power but also the funds meant for the development under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act ( MGNREGA ) in  Village Kolawal Raipur, UP.

The Pradhan under the disguise of the scheme constructed a road connecting her residence with the main road with the unlawful usage of development funds. The Kaccha road thus constructed cut through the fields of various farmers whose standing crops have been damaged and they were not paid any compensation. These farmers who had suffered due to poor harvest for years together were expecting a bumper crop this season due to better monsoons.

None of the affected farmers was paid any dime for the land acquisition. The farmers are running from pillar to post to get their grievances addressed. Saying that the land meant everything for them, they claim that they have managed to hang on just because of it. If this is the way it is snatched from us in the name of a Govt Scheme, we don’t want to live to see it and some of them even threatened to commit suicide in case they are not compensated immediately.

What the Block Development Officer of the Area is up to? Why can’t he take strict action against this lady Pradhan who misused her power and Public funds? Let there be a proper check and control on such Schemes; just sanctioning the funds is not the end of the story but its monitoring is again a must.