Bandipora, Dec 25: Deserving beneficiaries of a centrally sponsored scheme meant for providing money to houseless persons here today alleged that most of the people registered under the scheme are political workers and influential persons. . . .

 They demand a transparent probe into the implementation of the Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) in Bandipora and punishment to the accused officials and persons who embezzled the funds meant for them.
 Official record reveals that about 48 persons have received the amount under the scheme “who are not genuine beneficiaries.”
 Among the 48 persons who have been shown as “houseless” include Bashir Ahmed Reshi son of Late Karim Reshi of Kharpora Ward 17. He has received Rs 30,000 under Cheque Number 22043139 dated 10-03-2010. However, investigation revealed that Reshi has a concrete house.
 Hameeda Begum wife of Late Abdul Rashid Mir of Ward 4 has received Rs 30,000 under cheque number 22043180.  Investigation revealed that Hameeda is receiving pension of her husband, has a concrete house and her daughter is an employee in Municipal Committee Bandipora.
 Similarly, Muhammad Iqbal Mir son of Abdul Rehman Mir of Dachigam Ward 15 is an employee in Forest Department. He has also received Rs 30,000 under cheque Number 22043127 dated 10-03-2010. Mir also has a concrete house besides runs a shop in Mani Market.
 Locals in the township accused the authorities of misusing the scheme by releasing money either to political workers and influential people while leaving the houseless people in lurch.
  “Authorities have befooled us to benefit the political workers. I along with three other deserving beneficiaries had applied for money under the scheme. Muncipal Committee Bandipora had received our documents, made on the spot assessment of our condition, but did not release any money,”  said Asha  Begum of  main town here.
 Pertinently, complaints against misuse of the scheme was earlier received by the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora in 2009. Later a high-level committee comprising of Assistant Engineer R&B, Executive Officer MCB and Naib Tehsildar from Revenue Department was constituted to re-verify the list of beneficiaries. “Even then the 48 political workers and influential persons were not dropped till they received Rs 1.44 Lakhs under the scheme,” locals alleged.
 Basic objective of the scheme is to strive for holistic slum development with a healthy and enabling urban environment by providing adequate shelter and basic infrastructure facilities to slum dwellers of identified urban areas.
 Under the scheme, each beneficiary will get Rs 80,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh in three separate installments — the Central-State share is 80:20 but for J&K, the funding pattern is in the ratio 90:10.
 Executive Officer MCB Shakeel Ahmed admitted that the money under the scheme has been released among the undeserving people. “We have asked them to pay back the money, ” Shakeel said.
 Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Manzoor Ahmed Lone said the list of beneficiaries will be re-verified.
 “If there are complaints regarding the release of money under the scheme, the list would be re-verified,” Lone said