Malkangiri: Even as the state government has launched a slew of projects to improve the standard of living of tribal people, the beneficiaries are often found at the receiving end of corrupt practices of a few NGOs.
Recently, one such NGO has misappropriated lakhs of rupees from tribals promising them to supply superior quality fertilizer and seeds, a report said.
The members of many self-help groups (SHGs) recently lodged a complaint with the police after getting repayment reminders from the bank. Some NGOs managed to sanction loans in the name of the SHGs, but misappropriated the amount. Though the incident was highlighted in the media, no action has been taken so far, said some SHG members.
In a fresh incident, a grant of Rs 6.34 lakh was sanctioned by ITDA in favour of Maa Mutyaluamma Producer Group, an SHG of Pedawada village, for vegetable farming on 70 acre of land in 2016. The aim was to improve the financial condition of the beneficiaries.
In the first phase, the beneficiaries raised crops in 20 acre of land and achieved success.
Meanwhile, the beneficiaries were approached by an NGO named Gopabandhu Unnayan Samiti of Malkangiri town to buy seeds and fertilizer from a supplier of the town. The secretary of the NGO promised the SHG members of good quality product at competitive price.
Accordingly, the beneficiaries handed over Rs 1.20 lakh to the supplier Shubhalaxmi Suppliers November 4, 2016 to get fertilizer and seeds. The firm again collected Rs 1.20 lakh from the SHG December 20, 2016.
Even as it has been more than a year since the SHG made the payment, the members are yet to get anything from the firm, head of the group Bajar Madkami said.
“With no seeds and fertilizer in hand, our scope of earning has been seized as we have to sit idle,” said Ganga Padiami and Soma Padia, two members of the SHG.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the wife of the NGO’s secretary is the owner of Shubhalaxmi Supplier and he allegedly misappropriated the funds meant for tribals.
When contacted, project administrator of ITDA Rakesh Pradhan said the NGO has been asked to execute the supply order immediately.
The secretary of the tainted NGO couldn’t be contacted over the issue.
Even as more than 30 NGOs have been working in the district over the years and spending crores of rupees, the living standard of tribals remains unchanged raising questions on the proper execution of development projects. PNN
