Gopal Barman v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.
22.09.2021 Court No. 19 Item no.17 CP WPA 11798 of 2021 Sri Gopal Barman Vs.
The State of West Bengal & ors.
Mr. Debasish Banerjee Ms. Chandana Ghosh ......for the petitioner.
Mr. Lalit Mohan Mahato Mr. Kapil Guha .....for the State respondents.
The petitioner is one of the villagers residing under Dhumpur Gram Panchayat.
It is the contention of the petitioner that the panchayat authorities have not been doing any developmental work, despite allocation of huge funds under the MGNREGS Scheme by the Central Government. It is submitted by the petitioner that several representations have been made by the villagers to the Block Development Officer and Programme Officer (MGNREGS), Habibpur Block, Malda, to the District Nodal Officer as also the Pradhan, Dhumpur Gram Panchayat, requesting the authorities to repair and construct proper roads to facilitate movement of vehicles in the locality. It is submitted that none of
the respondents have taken any steps despite several requests.
This is an unfortunate state of affairs. The writ petition is being entertained only on the ground that the statutory functionaries and the State machinery have kept silent over the requests made by the villagers for causing improvement of the locality. Without going into the merits of the claim of the petitioner, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction upon the Additional District Magistrate and the District Nodal Officer, respondent no. 4, to dispose of the representation of the petitioner and some of the other villagers upon making an inspection of the area in question and, thereafter, by passing necessary orders upon hearing the villagers as also the panchayat authorities. It appears that a representation was received by the office of the respondent No.4 on February 14, 2020.
reasoned order shall be passed and communicated to the petitioner who will accept the same on behalf of the aggrieved villagers. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of communication of this order.
The authorities under MGNREGS Scheme should ensure that the funds are utilized in a proper
manner and for the purpose for which it has been disbursed.
The petitioner shall forward a copy of the representation along with a server copy of this order to the respondent no. 4 and other respondents to ensure compliance of this order. This order shall not be construed as an observation on the ability and competence of the authorities.
This writ petition is, thus, disposed of. There will be, however, no order as to costs.
All parties are directed to act on the basis of the server copy of this order.
(Shampa Sarkar, J.)