HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, Sept 24: A major corruption case has surfaced involving the former president of Jagun Village Panchayat in the 83 number Margherita constituency under Tinsukia district over the misappropriation of funds meant for the repair of Jagori Bangaon Primary School.
Allegations suggest that Jagun gaon panchayat’s former president, Dipak Sharma, syphoned off Rs 3,00,000 allocated for school repairs under the 15th finance of Jagun gaon panchayat.
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According to sources, the funds were intended for vital repairs, including paving the school walls, installing new tin roofing, and setting up electrical systems.
However, it is alleged that before the school repair committee could even begin the work, Dipak Sharma had secured six cheques from the Jagun branch of UCO Bank, convincing the school repair committee president to sign them under false pretences. Subsequently, Dipak Sharma withdrew the entire amount without the knowledge of the committee’s president.
Local reports indicate that the actual repairs on the school have been minimal, with only the walls partially paved and some ground levelling work completed.
Crucially, key repairs like the replacement of roofing and electrical installations were never carried out, raising concerns of embezzlement and negligence.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents and local leaders, with many questioning the state government’s commitment to its ‘zero tolerance’ policy on corruption.
The case has become a litmus test for the BJP-led government’s anti-corruption stance, as locals await swift action against the former panchayat president and others involved in the misuse of public funds.
The Jagori Bangaon Primary School SMC president said, “Jagun Gaon Panchayat’s former president, Dipak Sharma, told me to sign six cheques amounting to Rs 3,00,000 at the UCO Bank Jagun branch, which were withdrawn to repair the school infrastructure. Unfortunately, no work has been done to date, except for minimal efforts. I appeal to the Tinsukia district commissioner and Margherita sub-divisional officer (civil) to conduct an inquiry against Dipak Sharma, the former president of Jagun Gaon Panchayat, as to why he didn’t utilise the amount he had already withdrawn from the UCO Bank Jagun branch.”
