Guwahati: Beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme in Assam say they were shaken down for cash. Angry residents mobbed the Melekadhing Mukundati Gaon Panchayat office in the Nagaon district to demand answers. They claim husbands of local female ward members from eight different wards pressured them for payments. Each beneficiary supposedly paid 2,000 rupees to secure a house.
The accused allegedly used the name of the Gram Rozgar Sahayak to make the shakedown seem official. This triggered fury among the locals. The crowd confronted the Gram Rozgar Sahayak directly at the Juria Development Block office, demanding accountability for the illicit collections.
The official denied any involvement in the scheme. The Gram Rozgar Sahayak told the crowd, "Nobody has the authority to collect money from beneficiaries in the name of PMAY houses." They warned the public not to pay anyone for government housing aid. Residents now demand a formal investigation to track down those responsible and ensure they face consequences for preying on people seeking basic state support.
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