Buxar villagers demand probe into irregularities in construction of lavaltories

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Buxar : The Buxar district administration appears to be indifferent to the misappropriation of a huge amount allegedly drawn by an NGO in connivance with few officials in the name of two dozen beneficiaries under Chaugai block for construction of lavatories about nine years back.

The locals have demanded a high level probe into the construction of two dozen lavatories on paper only. Rishikant Singh, a Panchayat Samiti member, said that it was a serious matter and the district administration should take serious note of it and take action against those involved in it.

When this came to light on January 27, the villagers led by Rishikant Singh staged demonstration in front of the office of the Buxar District Magistrate. They claimed that they came to know about the fraud after they saw the list of  beneficiaries prepared for declaring the block ODF. The list was signed and stamped by the Executive Engineer and  showed that these lavatories were made between 2008 and 2011. It was also mentioned in the list that each lavatory cost Rs 4,600.

The government and the district administration are making every effort to make the district Open Defecation Free (ODF) zone and lakhs of rupees are being spent on construction of lavatories in every house under Lohia Swachchhta Mission.

Indubala Singh, Block Development Officer, Chaugai block, said that though it was a serious matter but at present the administration was concentrating to make the block ODF and so one should adopt the policy of ‘let bygones be bygones’.