SC seeks response from Bihar, Centre on corruption in Indira Awas

Patna,(BiharTimes): A bench headed by Justice T S Thakur of the Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre as well as the Nitish government into the widespread allegations of gross misuse and loot of public funds in implementation of Indira Awas Yojna in Bihar.

The Court also issued notice to the Comptroller General of India who, in a 2011 report, had found serious irregularities in implementation of the central scheme meant to provide homes to poor under this scheme in the state.

Responding to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Mohammad Shahid Anwar, (Advocate) the Court also sought a direction to ensure proper implementation of the scheme as there has been allegations by the CAG that there was gross misuse of public funds by the government officials. The PIL sought a CBI probe into the matter.

The PIL alleged large-scale connivance of political and executive functionaries with the businessmen in the implementation of the scheme. Incidentally, 75 per cent of funds for Indira Awas comes from the Centre while the state government’s share is only 25 per cent.

Quoting the CAG report, the PIL said “Indira Awas Yojna funds of Rs 325.35 crores were not deposited in separate bank accounts of IAY but were deposited in general bank account of block offices in disregard to scheme guidelines.”