Sangareddy, Sept.14 : An inquiry into the self-help group financial accounts at Pathakandi village in Kandi mandal has exposed major financial irregularities, revealing that a former Village Organization Assistant (VOA) allegedly misappropriated around ₹30 lakh. The diverted funds were originally sanctioned under the Stree Nidhi and bank linkage loan schemes meant for local women’s self-help groups (SHGs). Angered by the years of delay in receiving their loans, affected women confronted officials during a DWCRA group meeting held in Kandi on Tuesday.
According to the inquiry report, the previous VOA was replaced in January last year, and Kummari Pushpalatha was elected as the new VOA. However, officials noted that her appointment was never officially registered on the SERP IB website, yet an honorarium of ₹50,000 was drawn and paid in her name. The probe highlighted that lack of administrative supervision by the Assistant Project Manager (APM) and the erratic attendance of the Community Coordinator at Village Organization meetings created loopholes that facilitated the financial fraud.
Despite the official inquiry confirming the ₹30 lakh misappropriation, victims expressed anguish over the absence of strict legal action against the former VOA. The fraud has led to a freeze on new loan disbursements, severely impacting women who rely on Stree Nidhi and bank linkage loans for their livelihood needs. Demanding immediate intervention, the group members urged authorities to punish those responsible and immediately release their pending loan amounts.
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