BJP demands high-level probe into alleged irregularities in Sanjeevini SHGs in Udupi district

The Udupi district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday demanded a high-level probe into alleged massive irregularities in the functioning of Sanjeevini women’s self-help groups (SHGs) in the district.

In a statement issued here, district Mahila Morcha president Sandhya Ramesh said SHGs had been started with the good intention of empowering women. However, the state of affairs in some SHGs, where alleged swindling of funds had been reported, was “not a welcome move”, she said.

She said that of the 155 SHGs in the district, cases of misappropriation of funds had come to light in at least three groups in the previous two days. Police complaints had also been lodged. Each of the 155 gram panchayats had one SHG union to which 10 to 70 SHGs were affiliated. Around 90,000 women earned a livelihood through these groups under the Sanjeevini scheme.

She said that in such a situation, the alleged misappropriation of more than ₹80 lakh in three unions had shocked Sanjeevini members. There was a possibility that there were more such cases. Ms. Ramesh said there had been a lack of supervision in accounting, financial matters and overall management.

Ms. Ramesh said it was highly condemnable that a major project sponsored by the Union government and implemented by the State government had witnessed massive irregularities in a district like Udupi.

A thorough investigation into the irregularities is required and those involved in the misuse of funds must be identified and punished severely according to the law. It is possible that similar incidents have taken place in other districts of the state, and the State government must take immediate action.