Allegations have surfaced of embezzlement of lakhs of rupees in the name of brick-soling road repairs in the CPI(M)-led Kalagangerpar Gram Panchayat under Kadamtala Block in Tripura’s North District. According to the allegations, an estimate and work order worth approximately Rs 3,35,089 was issued for partial work on various roads, but most of the funds were allegedly not put to proper use.
Local residents claim that although nearly 4,000 bricks were allocated for repairing the brick-soling road in front of the Panchayat Pradhan’s house in Ward No. 3, only around 1,200 bricks were actually used, while the work was shown as completed.
Similarly, in Ward No. 6, repair work on around 200 metres of road from Ranibari Road to Ajir Uddin’s house has allegedly been left incomplete. In Ward No. 5, repair work on around 300 metres of road from Kalagangerpar H.S. School to Moinul Haque’s house has also allegedly not been completed, even as the allocated funds were shown as spent.
Local residents allege that large sums of money are being embezzled across various development projects of the gram panchayat by inflating estimates and work orders. They claim that despite repeatedly bringing the matter to the notice of the block administration, no effective action has been taken so far.
Residents have appealed to the Chief Minister of the state to intervene and have demanded an immediate, impartial and fair investigation. They said such an inquiry should bring out the actual facts and ensure that the gram panchayat’s development projects are implemented with transparency and accountability.