DAILEKH, Sept 16: After learning about the immense irregularities conducted in the name of Raute Welfare Fund, people of this indigenous tribe have started acting cleverly. They have begun seeking details of expenditure with various government authorities responsible for distributing the fund.
As the authorities started increasingly misusing the fund meant for their development, the Rautes living in the forests of hilly districts in Province 7 have become wiser. They have started seeking details of the expenditure with all the donors.
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Earlier, Rautes held a belief that they would be cursed if they gained education. So, none of them could count or calculate numbers. However, the situation has changed now.
Leader of the Raute community, Surya Narayan Shahi, informed Republica that they are obliged to seek the details of expenditure to control the misappropriation of funds. According to him, those who come with their budget often deceive them by taking advantage of their illiteracy. From now onward, various government and non-government organizations will have to furnish the details of expenditure GIVEN to Rautes before starting any project.
Khemraj Oli, Chairperson of Gurans Rural Municipality, said that anyone visiting the Raute community would have to seek permission from the rural municipality first. "Now, the donors will have to do everything legally," said Chairperson Oli.
"We are told that we have been sent budget from various authorities but when it reaches us its only half of what was actually meant for us," said Surya Narayan, adding, "So, we have urged all our donors to furnish the details of the total budget and expenses."
According to Purna Bahadur Oli, ward chief of Gurans-8, Rautes are not going to spare anyone if found misusing the budget meant for the welfare of their community.
