The Statesman: Himachal Pradesh: Saturday, December 16,
2017.
Raising
serious concern, RTI activist has pointed out absence of proper mechanism in
selection of Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries in Himachal.
RTI activist
Dev Ashish Bhattacharaya has alleged that various schemes of poverty
eradication of central government are being misused by the rich and influential
people, while the poor remain marginalised and cheated.
Bhattacharaya
had filed a complaint with the PMO, stating that the RTI sought from the
government agencies, the gram panchyats of Bhoranj Block in Hamirpur, points
out that two Pradhans, up-pradhans, 4 BDC members and 63 Ward Members have
managed to get themselves included in the list.
He complained
that the persons who are given mandate by the people to monitor the BPL
sections, have managed to include themselves in the BPL list.
After
investigation, the then State Information Commissioner (CIC) Bhim Sen had
issued directions under section 19(8) of the RTI Act 2005 to the government of
Himachal Pradesh in general and Block Development Officer (BDO) Bhoranj in
particular to select the BPL families on the basis of the evidence based
parameters.
Bhattacharaya
had sought Prime Minister’s intervention to initiate inquiry on his complaint,
so that the guilty persons could be punished.
“In response
to my complaint, the PMO has intervened and asked the Union Ministery at
Panchyati Raj to look into the matter after which a letter was issued to the
Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Panchyati Raj to take necessary
action on my petition.
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