ES Reporter

ROING, Oct 7: In a rare event, a social audit of funds received and expenditure made under the COVID-19 management fund by the District Disaster Management Authority was held here today by the Lower Dibang Valley district administration with community leaders, community based organisations, NGOs, student organisations and heads of departments. 
While terming the entire episode of allegations on Social Media, unfortunate Deputy Commissioner urged the CBOs to come directly to the district administration to clarify doubts and issues before putting them on social media as they result in misrepresentation of facts.
Explaining the expenditure details, she stated that funds were utilised for equipment  for making 12 quarantine facilities as per SOP, 3 Covid Care Centres and 3 check gates at Shantipur, Koronu and Dambuk; fooding in Quarantine Facilities for 570 inmates, staff, cooking staff, police from March 31 to 13 July, 2020, QF for medical staff and staff at the check gates, CCCs etc; transportation and POL for vehicles used to transport returnees from the check gates, staff conveyance, RTPCR van, magistrates on duty, control room personnel etc; Sanitisation expenses; relief centres for stranded migrants which housed 114 labourers from 31st March to 6th May 2020 and 690 persons were given free ration etc.
The DC also informed about the disbursement from the CM Relief Fund of Rs 3500 each to 400 people;  honorarium to be disbursed to 210 personnel( contingency, contractual staff and APST bus drivers) and 5 portable toilets procured under the MLALAD fund. Addressing rumours floating on social media about the alleged mismanagement of Covid fund, Namchoom said, “In the matter of the license of the Hotel Azzizeru, the license was issued in 1991 and has a validity till 31st August 2020, therefore it is a valid license. The food bill submitted by the hotel was against food provided for 18 inmates for 28 days. Regarding the bedding sets, all inmates were asked to bring their own bedding and utilities, in consultation with CBOs and stakeholders, as per an order dated 24th April 2020 and 50 bedding sets procured were to cater to the need of returnees of far away areas of Paglam and Hunli and for emergency purposes.”

Regarding the OPPO mobile handset of less than Rs 10000, the phone has been used/ is being used to receive all kinds of applications during lockdown, entry- exit permits, ERC permissions, medical travel permissions, labour entry permissions with the objective to avoid human interface as per the COVID-19 SOP and social distancing norms, DC added. 
While highlighting a few provisions of the RTI Act 2005, she stated that there were several misconceptions regarding the provisions of the Act amongst the general public leading to high handedness on the part of departments and also sometimes over activism by certain RTI applicants. 
She further requested the CBOs to disseminate such knowledge to the common public to ensure no misuse of the Act. 
Mibom Pertin(Member,District Level Interim Committee) and Bishen Mepo(GS, IMCLS) expressed their appreciation for the usefulness of the social audit process and remarked that the presentation made on the issue had cleared many misinformations. They emphasized that government servants should continue working towards keeping the district safe and secure during this time despite such allegations. 
While acknowledging the tireless discharging of duty by the government servants in the district in the fight against Covid-19, she also emphasised on the need for the administration and the CBOs to work together to create an atmosphere of peace and camaraderie in the district. 
Also present were representatives from the District Level Interim Committee of the Panchayat, Idu Mishmi Cultural and Literary Society, Adi Bane Kebang, ABK(Women Wing), Enjalo Menda Women Empowerment Forum, Nani Maria Society, Idu Women Society, AMYAA NGO, AIMSU and DASU. With DIPRO inputs

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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