Agartala: The Tripura government has filed an FIR with Kanchanpur Police Station against Aniruddha Chakma, a prominent Chakma leader, for allegedly misappropriating Rs 24 lakh in MGNREGS funds during the financial years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
The charges include criminal breach of trust by a government servant (IPC Section 409) and criminal misconduct by a public servant (Prevention of Corruption Act Section 13(2)).”
On March 11, 2024, North Tripura District Magistrate Debapriya Bardan ordered an inquiry into allegations of corruption against Aniruddha Chakma, who previously served as a Technical Assistant in the MGNREGS program at Dasda Block.
An inquiry report submitted on August 30, 2024, by a joint team comprising the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Kanchanpur, Executive Engineer of Kanchanpur, and Block Development Officer of Dasda Rural Development Block, Aniruddha Chakma had misappropriated Rs 24,01,080 government funds.
He allegedly misused government funds allocated for various MGNREGS projects, including labor wages, material purchases, and the construction of culverts.
He is also accused of misappropriating funds designated for the construction of a water tank with a filtration system and toilets at the Kanchanpur Higher Secondary School Boys’ Hostel.
On October 4, North Tripura District Magistrate Debapriya Bardan ordered the Dasda Block Development Officer to file an FIR against Chakma.
The District Magistrate also instructed the BDO to submit a proposal to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Kanchanpur for recovering the misappropriated government funds, along with applicable interest, from Aniruddha Chakma. The BDO was further directed to submit an action taken report to the District Magistrate.
The Block Development Officer filed a complaint on October 7.
“How can Aniruddha Chakma who misappropriated funds for the construction of a water tank and toilets for the Kanchanpur Higher Secondary School Boys Hostel serve as Shikkya Habideng (Education Expert) of the Tripura Rejyo Chakma Samajik Parishad?” asked Tejang Chakma, Director of the Chakma Development Foundation of India.
ALSO READ: Tripura govt plans to introduce Tourist Police Unit for visitor safety
Public anger is mounting over the apparent delay in arresting Aniruddha Chakma, despite the government filing a complaint against him based on forensic evidence.
