Hailakandi : Housing is one of the primary concerns of any individual. Around 0.15 percent of the country’s total population as per 2011 census is homeless. The Centre has initiated many welfare schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana( PMAY) to alleviate the masses from the bane of homelessness but the implementation in the grass-roots leaves a lot to be desired.

In a shocking case, it has come to light that there is rampant corruption in the housing scheme in Hailakandi district. Jamal Uddin Choudhury, a resident of Aloicherra Part IV village under Karicherra has alleged that the Abul Kashim Laskar, Gram Rojgar Sevak (GRS), of Dariarghat under Kaicherra GP has cheated him of his housing allotment.

A complaint was registered by Jamal Uddin on April 11 in the Karicherra Police Outpost. As per the FIR, Abul Kashim Laskar contacted Jamal Uddin and informed him that a house was allotted in Jamal’s name under PMAY in the 2011 financial year but the due process could not be allotted to Jamal Uddin. If Jamal Uddin wants to get the full benefit then he must bribe the GRS of Rs. 10000 or else the allocation would be cancelled.

Jamal Uddin who is of lilmited means finally agreed to pay the bribe money of ten thousand rupees to Abul Kashim Laskar. The payment was made by using UPI through the account of Jamal Uddin’s nephew Badrul. A total of three transactions were done in denominations of Rs. 5000, Rs. 2000 and Rs. 3000. But after receiving the bribe money, Abul Kashim Laskar feigned ignorance and refused to entertain Jmal Uddin’s pleas. Jamal Uddin further alleged that the accused GRS abused him in very foul language.

Jamal Uddin was forced to file FIR as he had no other option. He has prayed to Hivare Nisarg Gautam, the Dputy Commissioner of Hailakandi for justice. Till the filing of the report, the accused public servant did not respond.