Robbery In The Name Of Dalits
By Vidya Bhushan Rawat & Ram Chandra Prasad
08 November, 2007
Countercurrents.org
Fund meant to provide the Dalits housing under Indira Awas Yojana is fraudlently withdrawn by the village Sarpanch in connivance with the bank authorities in village Anand Nagar, Ghotap, block Pathardeva, district Deoria, Uttar-Pradesh
On April 2nd, 2007, a massive fire destroyed the thatched huts of about 157 Mushahar families in Anand Nagar village of Pathardeva block in Deoria district. As we have reported many times, Mushahars are one of the most disempowered communities among the Dalits and need special attention of those in power and administration. The administration decided to act and allotted houses to 81 families under the Indira Awas Yojana.In the budget for year 2007-2008, the village development council sanctioned 12,500/- rupees each for 81 beneficiaries. Which means that a total of Rs 10,12,500/- ( Rs Ten Lakh Twelve Thousands Five Hundred) was send in the accounts of the beneficiaries. The bank of the beneficiaries is 'Poorvanchal Gramin Bank, Bishunpura, Bazar.
On July 19th, 2007, the village Sarpanch Mr Rudal Yadav alias Udal Yadav (Strangely he has two names) along with 20 beneficiaries to get them the first installment of Rs 12,500/- each.
Till 4 pm, all the 20 people were asked to sit while the Pradhan and bank managers were busy in some 'paper work'. Both of them detained the 20 Mushahars until they paid Rs 5,000/- each as 'service charges' for their work. Most of the Mushahars had not seen the bank and did not know much about the same. About 14 Mushahars were taken to bank on 22.07.07 and again Rs 5000/- each were extracted from them on that day too.
Our organizational representative Mr Ram Chandra Prasad was approached by the villagers and immediately the district administration was informed about the incident. Local villagers like Harendra Prasad and Ramanuj Tiwari were helping the villagers. Under pressure, the administration filed a case against the village Pradhan under section 409/420 of the Indian Penal Code. Under public pressure, the Pradhan surrendered on August 6 th, 2007 at the district court, Deoria. He is still in the jail.
But things do not end here. About 18 beneficiaries mentioned in the bank are fake and it is alleged that the Pradhan in connivance with the bank manager withdrew the money from the bank at the rate of Rs 12,500/- meant for the first installment. It was found out after our investigation that the name and the beneficiaries belong to the village but their photographs are of people from Bihar. For your information, Bihar is just on the other side of the village and it is a routine affair for people and politician to crossover after committing a crime.
More pressure forced the administration to file another FIR. But now, it is coming to our notice the not enough is being done in this direction. Moreover, while the FIR and arrest has been made of Pradhan, nothing has been done to the corrupt bank manager of the Poorvanchal Gramin Bank. An administrative committee too found the charges correct. It is shocking how the administration has not taken action against the bank manager for his fraudulent activities and cheating the poor.
We have names the list of the people who have been given granted support under the Indira Awas Yojana. We have also pointed out (f) for those names who do not even know that there was fund allocated under their name but under whose name money came and was withdrawn.
We do also have a report of the committee set up by Central Bank of India, the lead bank of Poorvanchal Gramin Bank. The committee consisting Senior District Manager Mr P.N.Srivasatava, R.P.Varun, Block Development Officer and Mr Arvind Kumar Pathak, Assistant Engineer, DRDA, Deoria, which found out that village Pradhan Rudal Yadav withdrew the amount illegally in a well-planned way. However, the report seems to be soft on the bank manager of Poorvanchal Gramin Bank, Bishunpura Bazar, Deoria, by terming his role as 'suspicious.'
Unfortunately, the pradhan is now free on bail and there has been no report against the bank manager of Poorvanchal Gramin Bank. Added to this is the miseries of the Mushahar families as winter is approaching them and most of them would have to live the night in the open. Now, there is no report of any effort to provide houses to these landless families.
In another case of great robbery in the village, the same Pradhan in connivance with the bank manager ( same) withdrew Rs Seven Lakh Fifty Four Thosand in the name of loaning for Ujala Swayam Sahayata Samooh i.e. Ujala Self Help Group. The members of the group are unaware of the loan and are now apprehensive of even venturing out of their houses. They have reported the matter to the authorities but no action has been taken so far.
We have the copies of applications duly signed by the victims. We also have the copy of affidavit signed by Lalita Devi of the village saying that she was running a Self Help Group. She has charged that the president of the group, treasurer, village Pradhan and officials of the Poorvanchal Gramin bank, Bishunpura, Deoria have through conspiracy embezzled an amount of Rs 7,54,000 ( Rs Seven Lakh Fifty Four Thousand only) under the Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna as loan. No member of the group was informed about the same.
An application was submitted to Block Development Officer ( BDO) on 24.08.2007 after which the BDO found the allegation as correct. The villager Lalita Devi and Sumseri charge that the BDO is trying to cover up the entire incident. They want charges be filed against bank manager under the SC-ST atrocities act.
We demand
Punitive action be taken against the village Pradhan and Bank Manager of the Poorvanchal Gramin Bank for the robbery of the funds meant for the rural poor particularly SCs-STs and they should be booked under the SC-ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
All those families whose name appear as beneficiary must get their first installment for the Indiar Awas Yojana at the earliest. Otherwise, the government must make alternative arrangements for them.
Case should be filed against Pradhan, bank manager and president and treasurer of the Ujala Self Help Group. An impartial investigation must be made to find out what exactly happened.
A show cause notice must be given to the block, DRDA and bank authorities for failing to respond to the crisis on time. Compensation should be given to the victims.
Mushahars be given land for agriculture and housing at the earliest and the administration must ensure that this land is in their possession and does not remain as a data in government files.
The upper castes in Uttar-Pradesh are becoming more powerful at the moment. Though the case of this village, poor Mushahars are betrayed by the village Sarpanch who belong to Yadava community. None of them have houses and even the Yadavas created blockade for them and do not allow them to defacate in their fields. Winter is approaching and Mushahars have no roof over their head. It is one of the most disempowered community without any political representation. We have send letters along with copies of affidavits and fact finding reports of the Bank which has openly charged the bank manager and Pradhan for conniving together in fradulently withdrawing the money from the bank meant for the landless people.
We request you to write letters to UP Chief Minister Ms Maywati to take action against the authorities.We sincerely hope that government of UP will not allow this to happen and will ensure that the Mushahars get their rightful due and the culprits are put behind the bar.
Thanking you,
For Social Development Foundation,Vidya Bhushan Rawat
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