SDF condemns corruption in Aama Yojana, demands CBI probe

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif"><b>GANGTOK, :</b> The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party has expressed its strongest condemnation of the deeply disturbing revelations emerging from the ongoing investigation by the Sikkim Vigilance Police (SVP) into corruption in the implementation of the Sikkim Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana or Aama Yojana. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">“The SDF party has always maintained that such schemes for appeasement of the women vote bank is nothing short of a farce. The vigilance investigation into systematic corruption in Aama Yojana only confirms this further,” said SDF women’s front vice president Amrita Diyali in a media statement Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">She maintained that preliminary findings indicating manipulation of beneficiary lists, diversion of funds, and fraudulent disbursement to ineligible individuals including government officials are not mere administrative lapses. They point to an organised nexus in the SKM government operating at the cost of the poor and vulnerable, she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">“This is not an isolated incident. Under the SKM government, Sikkim has repeatedly witnessed major corruption scandals. The State Bank of Sikkim irregularities where Rs 65.46 crores’ worth assets of the General Manager were frozen, the Multi Commodity Exchange scam (2020-2022) involving more than $6 billion, the </span><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;">Rs </span><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">130 crore Excise Department scam and the Smart TV distribution scam have already eroded public trust in the SKM government. The latest revelations further expose a troubling pattern of systemic corruption,” said Diyali.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">This newly emerged Aama Yojana Scam has confirmed how Chelis at the grassroots are suffering, not out of the lack of budget but because of massive corruption and mismanagement under the SKM government, said the SDF functionary. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The SDF demands a CBI investigation into the matter, immediate suspension of all officials found to be involved, pending inquiry, and a strict legal action against those responsible, irrespective of rank or position besides a comprehensive and transparent audit of all beneficiaries under these schemes, said Diyali.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The SDF further demanded that a thorough investigation must take place around the entire State where this scheme has been delivered, and not just among the rank officers in the scheme related offices. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">“These developments raise serious questions about the accountability and integrity of the SKM government. Welfare schemes meant for the poor cannot be allowed to become instruments of corruption and political discrimination. The SDF party strongly condemns this newly emerged case of corruption within the SKM government and stands firmly with the affected beneficiaries,” said Diyali.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

from www.sikkimexpress.com https://ift.tt/DSH01RY
via IFTTT