An alleged misuse of funds allocated for development under the government’s Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) scheme has been unearthed in Manipur’s Champu Khangpok.
The fund of Rs 20 lakhs was allocated for the development of a remote village under the scheme. The alleged scandal pertains to a fake list of beneficiaries prepared by state government officials who took up various developmental projects. However, an RTI report revealed that no work has been carried out in the village.
The matter came to light when an environmental activist noticed a photograph posted at a school made of bricks in Champu Khangpok village. Interestingly, Champu Khangpok village is the only floating village on earth where 400 people live. The locals claimed that there is only one primary school made of bamboo and cane.
The photograph which was posted by District PMAGY Convergence Committee, Bishnupur, showed ‘Prabhat Pheri (Morning Walk)’ at a school, which raised suspicions of it being a fake one.
After seeing the photo of a school, activist Ram Wangkheirakpam filed an RTI to find out the truth.
“I was shocked to discover that the Central government’s scheme website shows a school that is reportedly in Champu Khangpok, though it does not even exist. It looks like some people hoodwinked even Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Ram Wangkheirakpam told India Today.
“As it is a floating village, there is no way someone can put street lamps, or build roads. Only boat functions there….
