Alipurduar, Aug. 11: The three-day Swastho Mela organised by the health department for the people of Alipurduar subdivision has come under criticism for extravagance and indiscipline.

The authorities are unwilling to disclose the expenses. However, Alipurduar MP Joachim Baxla had released Rs 8 lakh from his Local Area Development Fund for the fair held in Parorpar grama panchayat from August 8-10.

The health department has taken flak from the people for mismanagement and misuse of funds at the fair.

They said no arrangements were made to bring people from places like Kalchini, Kumargram, Madarihat and Falakata to the Rabikanto High School ground at Birpara where the fair was held. The mela, held once in four years, could have been a major help for the people of five closed tea gardens in the subdivision as well.

Abha Sen (64) said: “I have hearing problem and I went to the venue hoping that a doctor will conduct a thorough check-up and give me medicines. The doctor flashed the torch into my ears and prescribed some medicines. But no medicine was available at the counter.”

She said had the funds been used to buy some machines for Alipurduar hospital, people would have been benefited.

According to another patient, the money spent on bringing artistes from Calcutta and organising cultural shows should have been used to treat more poor people. He said a large part of funds was used for erecting pandals and food.

Debasish Roy, the assistant chief medical officer of health, Alipurduar, said it was impossible to hold a flawless fair where thousands of people had thronged. He added that around 4,500 people had been checked at the mela.

On the fund misuse charge, the official said the health department had spent only a little amount on cultural shows and food. “The MP has promised us more funds if we need more money.”