Net of brokers in UP’s second largest Nagar Panchayat Obra, PMAY beneficiaries are being looted from door to door

Cameraman Ku with Ajit Singh (Bureau Report). Rita

Obra/Sonbhadra-

On one hand, the Yogi government of Obra, Uttar Pradesh is claiming to eradicate corruption under zero tolerance and to provide cheap construction materials to the poor, while on the other hand, in Obra Nagar Panchayat of Sonbhadra (which is considered to be the second largest Nagar Panchayat of the state), the broker system has tarnished the credibility of the government. Here, brokers have started attacking the hard-earned money of the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) like termites.

Now the brokers are knocking not only on the roads but directly on the doors of the poor in areas like Cat Gaon, Balua Tola, New Colony, Ward No. 1 and Ward No. 3. Brokers go door-to-door and ask the beneficiaries whether they want sand and gravel? When asked, they are implicated in false figures and are intimidated by spreading rumors that the supply is about to be stopped. The government rate of sand which should be around ₹ 2000, is being forced down to ₹ 2200 to ₹ 2300 by these brokers.

Local sources say that the area from Sharda Temple to Gajraj Nagar has become the main hub of brokers. Here active teams keep an eye on every incoming vehicle and customer. This syndicate has taken the supply chain so hostage that it has become impossible for the common man to buy sand directly from the mine. Beneficiaries of Cati Markundi extended area say that a large part of the assistance given by the government is being spent on commission of brokers and increased prices. The government gave us money for the roof, but here the prices of ballast and sand have been increased so much that the money is lost in the material itself.

Now the walls have been erected, but I cannot muster the courage to put a roof on it. Should we build housing or feed the brokers? This black marketing going on openly in such a big Nagar Panchayat of Uttar Pradesh has put the administration in the dock. The public is asking. Why is strict legal action not being taken against these middlemen despite the orders of the Chief Minister? Obra is now becoming a den of corruption instead of development. If the administration does not immediately take action like Gangster Act and does not start a transparent portal or helpline for direct monitoring of mining sites, then the houses of the poor in this prestigious Nagar Panchayat of the state will remain only incomplete structures.