In the year financial year 2013-14 the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy released 19000 solar lights for distribution among genuine applicants in Kishtwar. The Ministry also issued standing instructions of who would become the beneficiaries of these facilities. The District administration authorities were desired to make the lists of genuine seekers of solar lights and submit it to higher authorities. In the first week of July this year several complaints were received at the office of the District Commissioner alleging that the solar lights were distributed among favourites and influential persons while deserving people were denied the facility. On the basis of these complaints the District Commissioner withheld the lists and set up an inquiry committee to probe the matter. Strangely, the enquiry committee has not submitted its report so far. It appears that at District administration level officers are trying to pass the buck to the next officer and not take any responsibility. Not only that, even some senior officers refuse to respond to telephonic calls from the media persons and thereby become accomplices in putting the entire scam under covers. It is unfortunate in our country that whenever the Government wants to extend some facility to the poor and below poverty line segment of society, the State functionaries scuttle the schemes only to show favour to the blue eyed persons. It is called nepotism in political terminology. The Department of Rural Development has the responsibility of implementing the scheme properly.
It is the duty of the Rural Development Department to order withholding of the lists of beneficiaries, install thorough investigation in the scam and after receiving the report revise the list and recommend distribution of solar lights only to the deserving and genuine beneficiaries. Administrative action should be taken against the defaulters who have submitted fake or not genuine names of recipients.
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