Bamutia : In late July, the Bamutia Agriculture Sub-Division distributed two goats each to 39 local beneficiaries under a government scheme. Among the recipients was Paresh Tanti of Ward No. 3 under East Bamutia Panchayat.
According to sources, Paresh Tanti allegedly sold off the goats he received. When approached based on this information, Tanti said he had received two goats and that one had died. He initially claimed he had buried the dead goat, but could not say where. He said the other goat had gone off to graze, but was unable to produce either animal when asked. He also had not informed the department or any elected representative about the goat’s death.
Tanti further claimed that the Agriculture Sub-Division had given him a weak and sickly goat, which died about 10 days later. He alleged that the department keeps no track of what beneficiaries actually do with the animals distributed to them.
The episode has raised several questions — about the apparent lack of departmental oversight, the distribution of unhealthy animals, and genuine beneficiaries potentially being deprived. It remains to be seen whether the department takes any action on these issues, even as questions are also being raised about the role of those responsible for selecting beneficiaries. Beneficiary Paresh Tanti spoke to the media regarding the goats.