SHEBERGHAN (SW) – A number of disabled persons in Jawzjan province claim millions of afghanis have been embezzled by a local civil society organization in the name of their rights.
They told Salam Watandar this particular organization has been collecting money in their name from auto-rickshaw drivers for the past ten years.
Ameenullah Babari, head of the disabled persons’ association in Jawzjan, said not a single penny has been given to them. He said some 10,000 auto-rickshaws are plying on streets in Jawzjan, and each one has been paying an estimated AFN 360 per year. Babari said this amounts to a total of AFN 360,000 per year.
Documents obtained by Salam Watandar indicate there are a total of 10,000 auto-rickshaws plying on streets, but only 15 of them poses proper documents.
Abdul Fatah Qateh, director of the directorate for welfare of disabled and martyrs in Jawzjan, said in this regard that there are certain individuals embezzling the rights of the needy persons with disabilities. He said these individuals are backed by certain elements in the government and powerful figures.
Spokesman for the provincial governor, Fareedon Aniq, said investigations are underway, and if someone is found guilty of this crime, legal action would be taken.
However, the accused, Mohammad Ibrahim Ghazi, has rejected all these allegations. He said he has been collecting this amount from auto-rickshaw drivers with the approval of the directorate of traffic in the province.
ENDS
