MNREGA irregularities in Gujarat to be probed : Deshmukh

The Centre has an outlay of Rs 40,000 crore in the 2011-12 budget for MNREGA.

Deshmukh also alleged that the fund utilisation under various central assisted schemes in Gujarat was dismal. “In 2010-11,the Centre sanctioned Rs 996 crore to Gujarat under MNREGA,while the opening balance with the state was of Rs 272 crore,taking the total grant to Rs 1,268 crore. However,of that,only a meagre amount of Rs 825 crore has been spent so far,” he said.

The central assistance to Gujarat in schemes like Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana has been Rs 322 crore,of which,Rs 263 crore was spent,while out the Rs 779 crore grant under the Indira Awas Yojana,Rs 690 crore was spent,Deshmukh said.

The Minister also expressed displeasure over the alleged non-functional gram sabhas (village meets) in Gujarat,where Panchyati Raj model of governance finds prominence like Maharasthra.

Holding no gram sabhas was not a good thing as development works in a village are supposed to be discussed at these meetings. “The way I have been told it seems they are dysfunctional,” Deshmukh said.

He said that there should be only three ‘sabhas’ including- gram sabha,Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. During Deshmukh’s visit to the state,the Leader of Opposition in Gujarat,Shaktisinh Gohil,told him about the ongoing alleged malpractices in the implementation of MNREGA in Gujarat.

Citing a RTI query Gohil said that a 3-year old boy had been enrolled under the MNREGA scheme in Kutch district of Gujarat and was also drawing money. “It is just one instance of corruption that I have come across during my visit to Kutch. I have received several types of complaint from the district,where nearly Rs 19 crore have been spent under the scheme,” Gohil said.

“Senior state officials in connivance with BJP workers were siphoning off funds sanctioned under the scheme,” he alleged.

“Gujarat is the only state where MNREGA work is being done without the due approval of gram sabha. We have brought this unlawful activity to the notice of Minister and have demanded a probe,” Gohil said.

He also informed the Minister that despite repeated reminders,the State Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee constituted by the Centre,comprising Members of Parliament and the Gujarat Ministers,has not met in last three years.

Expressing concern over this,Deshmukh said that it was important that the meeting of committee should be held at least one or two months,to ensure that the funds reach the beneficiaries