Agartala, 22nd May 2026: A controversy has erupted in Bramhakunda Gram Panchayat under the Simna Assembly Constituency following allegations that a panchayat member misappropriated housing assistance funds meant for an elderly tea garden worker.
According to local reports, 72-year-old tea worker Champa Munda, a resident of Ward No. 5, had received Rs 96,000 in two instalments under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, a housing assistance scheme aimed at supporting economically weaker families in building homes. She used the amount to construct the main structure of her house, although boundary fencing work remained incomplete.
Allegations state that local elected representative Kishan Santal assured the family that he would complete the remaining construction work. He later reportedly arranged tin sheets around the house and submitted photographs to the panchayat claiming the house was fully completed. Based on this submission, the final instalment of Rs 32,000 was released to Champa Munda’s bank account.
The complaint further alleges that Kishan Santal then took Champa Munda to a bank and withdrew the entire Rs 32,000 in two transactions. The family also claims that after the money was withdrawn, the tin sheets installed around the house were removed.
Champa Munda’s son, Krishna Munda, said that despite informing other panchayat members about the incident, the house remains incomplete. The family has demanded that the construction be finished immediately and strict legal action be taken against the accused representative.
