‘Sarpanch embezzled MNREGA funds’ exclusive
Friday, 26/12/2014
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=121617&boxid=58110&uid=&dat=2014-12-26
Ludhiana : The only scheme of Central government meant for the poor daily wagers, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) is being hijacked by the village Sarpanch who embezzled the funds under the nose of district administration, says an inquiry report.
Interestingly at Village Bhaini Sahib in district Ludhiana, owners of depot and some professionals were the beneficiaries of MNREGA scheme whereas the real beneficiaries were kept away from the scheme. The total 23 fake beneficiaries embezzled the funds of MNREGA, revealed an inquiry report of block development officer (BDPO).
However, the administration claimed that all the records of MNREGA were transparent and online even after the Block Development Panchayat officer (BDPO) nailed village Sarpanch and some others for embezzlement of funds. After the complaint of embezzlement was filed in the office of Deputy Commissioner, the BDPO was to probe the alleged embezzlement
The inquiry report of BDPO assessed by Daily Post finds stated that village Sarpanch and his mate (a person who marked MNREGA attendance) was found guilty of embezzlement of funds. The inquiry report of BDPO stated that Gursewak Singh got the master roll of daily wagers signed by Sarpanch Sukhdev Singh and further Gram Rozgar assistant Deepinderjet Singh submitted the master roll in the MNREGA office for online payment of Rs 1,93,568. The fund transfer order (FTO) was released for the payments but payment was not released due to insufficient funds in government treasury.
As the villagers came to knowof the embezzlement in MNREGA attendances, they filed the complaint with Deputy Commissioner. In fear of action the sarpanch with the help of some officials of MNREGA got the master roll changed and deleted the bogus persons and fake attendances.
After the fake attendances of bogus persons were deleted the amount for the payment remained Rs 95,312 only.
The BDPO also reported that Santa Singh student of Class X was also in the list of MNREGA beneficiaries and the seven attendances from January 31, 2014 to February 7 were found fake. On the day of MNREGA work the student was present in school according to the attested attendance copy obtained from school authorities.
