A Central team, which found glaring examples of MGNREGA violations in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, has asked the state administration to conduct a detailed probe in all the worksites in the district.
The financial misappropriation in this case could be to the tune of several hundred crores of rupees, according to sources who said successful implementation of the MGNREGA is important to push development in the Naxal-affected area of the state.
According to the Central team’s report, submitted to the rural development ministry last week, the local administration was wrong in selection of sites for the construction of check dams along a local river, the quality of construction was poor and even excessive expenditure was made in various MGNREGA works in the district.
In an example on how Central funds are being misused to line the pockets of local officials, the report has also said that supply of building material has been sourced from firms of important political persons and senior officers.
As a result, there is no proper utilisation of assets created.
The Central team had visited the district in January following a complaint from Sanjay Dixit, a member of the Central Employment Guarantee Council under the ministry.
Most of the complaints from Mr Dixit were found to be true by the Central team.
“In the last financial year the district had spent `240 crores on MGNREGA works. After I raised objections about fake muster rolls and non-payment of dues with the administration, the expenditure in 2011 has been only `100 crores,” said Mr Dixit.
Mr Dixit said this indicated a misappropriation of around `140 crores in 2010. He further alleged the bungling going on could be to the tune of several hundred crores of rupees over the past few years.
In its report, the Central team has held technical staff, supervising staff, senior officers and the gram pradhan all guilty.