Where has all the money gone? AAP government ministers, legislators and local coordinators are at a loss, unable to explain the mystery of the missing mohalla sabha funds.

More than two years after the first ever meetings of the local governance bodies in a dozen assembly constituencies, the money allocated remains unaccounted for and so does the work promised by the administration, an India Today TV investigation has found.

AAP called the mohalla sabhas a revolutionary concept to bring swaraj, or participatory democracy. In fact, party convenor and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote a book on it. For the first meeting of the bodies, which have the power to choose and start development projects in their areas, the Delhi government set aside a sum of Rs 20 crore for each of the 12 shortlisted assembly seats during the budget session of 2015. The released money also reached the mohalla sabhas: each of them got Rs 55 lakh.

Asked about the details of the funds, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said, "It is not in my ambit. I can't comment on it."

'DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS'

The INDIA TODAY TV investigation found that mohalla sabha coordinators, as well as the minister and MLAs of the chosen constituencies don't know where the money is. Also, during visits to the Patparganj, Kirari and Chhatarpur assembly seats the reporter learnt that the first mohalla sabhas used less than 10 per cent of the funds.

"During the first mohalla sabha, in which the local MLA, sub-divisional magistrate and a number of residents participated in April 2015, as many as 12 development works were identified," said Anil Kumar Dikshit, former coordinator of the mohalla sabha at Pratap Nagar in Sisodia's constituency.

"A priority-wise list was made and construction of metal gates was started. But after this, the work was halted."

He said construction of toilets, a library, a community centre and a parking lot as well as laying of sewers and covering of drains never began.

"We don't know where the money is. We are sure that Rs 55 lakh was released for development of our colony and only gates were installed. I repeatedly requested local MLA and deputy CM Manish Sisodia about the promises, but all in vain," Dikshit said.

The investigation also found that the plots to be used for library, parks and community centre are lying vacant. Also, no new sewers were constructed and the drains were not covered either.

'NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SO FAR'

INDIA TODAY TV then visited Kirari assembly constituency, considered the most backward part of north Delhi. Here, less than one per cent of the sum allocated was utilised. Locals have a list of 15 promises that were made at the gathering in June 2015.

RWA president of Indra Enclave phase 2 Sanjay Sharma said, "Installation of iron gates, dustbins and signage was decided during the mohalla sabha. Also, it was decided that a marriage hall, library and park will be developed on either DDA land or land of the gram sabha. It has been two years since the funds were allocated in front of us but we don't know where the money has gone."

Only a few signboards had been installed in the area, while from the list of 14-15 projects just one had been initiated. The residents say they don't know where the allocated funds are.

"Every year during monsoon, dengue and chikungunya spread here. During the mohalla sabha meeting, funds were allocated for 40 sanitation workers and also for construction of drains. Nothing has happened so far and people are still at risk," said Aftab, a local resident who survived chikungunya last year.

The area mohalla sabha coordinator refused to comment, claiming he is not aware of the current status of the funds.

Next on the list was Sanjay Colony at Bhati Mines of Chhatarpur assembly constituency in south Delhi. Residents say two major promises were made during the mohalla sabha meet two years ago: construction of roads as well as drains.

"I will have to check with the MLA," said mohalla sabha coordinator Rampal. However, after half a dozen fumbling attempts, he was unable to locate the money.

"For two colonies of Bhati Mines, Rs 1.10 crore was allocated for construction of roads. We don't know what happened," said local resident and activist Hira Lal.

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